SINGAPORE - Commissioner of Police Hoong Wee Teck was conferred a prestigious state award by the Brunei government on Monday (March 27).

The ceremony, which was attended by Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, was held at the Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei.

Mr Hoong, 54, was awarded the Darjah Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang Yang Amat Gemilang Darjah Pertama, as a reflection of the excellent relationship and close cooperation between the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Brunei Police Force in combating transnational crime.

He is the first from the SPF to receive the award, which is the highest Bruneian award to be conferred on foreign police chiefs.

"This award reflects the long-standing friendship and cooperation between both police forces, and we will continue to work closely with the Royal Brunei Police Force to fight transnational crime," Mr Hoong said after the ceremony.

The former director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Mr Hoong took over as the SPF's new commissioner in January 2015.