RI grants award to former Malaysian military chief

The Indonesian government has awarded Gen. Tan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Zaenal, former chief of the Malaysian Defense Forces, the Yudha Dharma Utama Award for his contribution to promoting and strengthening relations and defense cooperation between the two countries.

The award medal was presented by Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro at a ceremony in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Zaenal said he was thankful and proud to receive the prestigious award, as quoted by Antara state news agency

He considered the medal a token of his high appreciation and respect toward Indonesia.

Despite sharing sociocultural roots, Malaysia and Indonesia are often at odds over certain issues, including border and migrant worker problems.