Top Military Award Conferred on Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Force

The Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Force (RBAF), Major General (MG) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) [Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) this afternoon.

MG Dato Haszaimi was conferred the award for his significant contributions towards enhancing the close and longstanding defence relationship between the RBAF and the Singapore Armed Forces. Under his leadership, both armed forces forged closer ties and stronger rapport through professional exchanges and collaboration, high-level visits, cross-attendance of courses, and bilateral exercises such as Exercise Pelican, Exercise Maju Bersama, and Exercise Airguard. Of note, Exercise Air Guard and Exercise Pelican were enhanced with the inclusion of dedicated helicopter missions and the inaugural participation of the RSN's Sentinel-class Maritime Security and Response Vessel and RBN's AS-SIDDIQ-class Patrol Vessel respectively during MG Dato Haszaimi's tenure.

MG Dato Haszaimi is in Singapore from 31 July to 2 Aug 2024. Prior to the investiture, he called on Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and met Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng, after inspecting the Guard of Honour. During MG Dato Haszaimi's call with Minister, both sides reaffirmed the close and long-standing bilateral defence ties and expressed commitment to further deepen defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest. As part of his programme, MG Dato Haszaimi visited the Digital Ops-Tech Centre where he received a brief on the Digital and Intelligence Service. He will also be visiting the Special Operations Command Centre at Hendon Camp tomorrow.