MALAYSIAN IGP RECEIVES SINGAPORE AWARD

By Zakaria Abdul Wahab

SINGAPORE, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Inspector-General of Police 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, here.

Earlier, Musa called on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the same
venue.

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 Malaysia's southern state of 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 that 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.
-- BERNAMA