BernamaMalaysian Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan was today awarded Singapore’s Distinguished Service Order for his “outstanding contribution in fostering excellent ties and cooperation” between the Malaysian police and the republic’s police force.
Musa, 57, had enhanced “the safety and security of both countries”, according to the citation read out before Singapore President S. R. Nathan conferred the award on Musa at an official ceremony at the Istana, here.
Among Singapore dignitaries who witnessed the conferment were Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng, Law Minister K. Shanmugam and Singapore Police Force chief commissioner Tan Sri Khoo Boon Hui.
The Malaysian side was represented by Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Md Hussin Nayan, his deputy Datuk Ahmad Anwar Adnan and Bukit Aman Police Special Task Force on Counter Terrorism director Commissioner Datuk Fuzi Harun.
Earlier, Musa called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the same venue.
Following that, the IGP also inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by 25 men of the Singapore Police Force.
At the ceremony, it was cited that Singapore had benefited from Musa’s active and significant contribution in the promotion of close bilateral ties between the Malaysian and Singapore police.
“The excellent cooperation in the areas of investigation, intelligence, training and sharing of information has yielded tremendous benefits for both forces in combating terrorism and transnational crime,” the citation said.
The Malaysian police have also contributed greatly in furthering the region’s capacity in combating terrorism and crime. It was also cited that “the extensive bilateral cooperation has also developed warm personal ties and exceptional rapport between officers of both police forces.”
It is noteworthy that the Malaysian police’s significant contribution to Singapore’s internal and regional security this year was the arrest of Mas Selamat Kastari, alleged leader of the local chapter of the militant Jemaah Islamiyah and escaped detainee, in Johor last April.
Under Musa’s stewardship, the long-standing bilateral liaison meetings between the criminal investigation departments as well as the commercial crime investigation departments of both neighbouring police forces had been enhanced, enabling greater sharing of information.
Singapore police had also benefited from the valuable operational assistance provided by the Malaysian police in the investigation of cross-border criminal cases, leading to the conviction of the perpetrators and the recovery of the proceeds of crime.
Musa later told Bernama the award was a recognition for the Malaysian police which had played an outstanding role and cooperated with their Singapore counterpart in combating crime and safeguarding both neighbouring countries.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com.my/index.php/malaysia/34101-singapore-honours-igp-musa-hassan-