[Above: President Nathan congratulates former Malaysian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal after the DSO(M) investiture ceremony.]

The former Chief of Defence Force of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), General (GEN) Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal, was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Distinguished Service Order (Military), by President S R Nathan at the Istana this afternoon.

The medal was awarded to GEN Abdul Aziz for his significant contributions to strengthening the defence ties between the MAF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Under his leadership, professional interactions between the two forces have grown in scope and depth. Both forces engage regularly in various bilateral and multilateral activities.

The MAF and the SAF have also been working closely to enhance maritime security through the Malacca Straits Patrols. These interactions have enhanced the mutual understanding and friendship between personnel of both forces.

Guests at the investiture included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, Minister of State for Defence Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Desmond Kuek, as well as other senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Malaysia.

GEN Abdul Aziz, who is in Singapore from 19 to 21 October 2009, called on Mr Teo and LG Kuek at the Ministry of Defence before the investiture. The Distinguished Service Order (Military) was previously awarded to Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, then Minister of Defence, in 1995.