THE AWARD RECOGNISES GENERAL AGUS SUBIYANTO’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO STRENGTHENING DEFENCE COOPERATION BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND INDONESIA.
The Chief of Defence Force of Indonesia, General (GEN) Agus Subiyanto, 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) in Singapore on 7 January 2026.
General Agus received the award in recognition of his significant role in strengthening defence ties between the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Under his leadership, the implementation of the Defence Cooperation Agreement, which entered into force in 2024, has progressed smoothly. Both armed forces have continued a high tempo of professional exchanges and regular bilateral exercises, including Exercises Safkar Indopura, Eagle Indopura, Elang Indopura, Chandrapura and Manyar Indopura. In addition, the TNI and SAF successfully conducted the Counter-Terrorism Field Training Exercise, Exercise Griffin Cakti, last year, enhancing interoperability and mutual trust.
The investiture ceremony was attended by Singapore’s Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing; Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad; Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral, Aaron Beng; as well as senior government officials and military officers from both Singapore and Indonesia.
During his visit to Singapore from 6 to 7 January 2026, General Agus also called on Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, at the Istana, where both leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding bilateral defence relationship between the two countries. He also met Mr Chan and Vice Admiral Beng at MINDEF following an inspection of the Guard of Honour.
SOURCE : MINDEF
