James Kon, Lyna Mohamad, Daniel Lim & Rokiah Mahmud
The spirit of patriotism filled the air yesterday with the hoisting of the giant national flag in the run-up to the 37th National Day celebration.
The event at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex signifies the start of the 10-day flag-hoisting throughout the country, from February 16 to 25.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin was the guest of honour.
Members of the Executive Committee of the 37th National Day Celebrations, Legislative Council (LegCo) members, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, district officers, representatives from the public and private sectors, mukim penghulus and village heads also attended.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Allah Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam by Mosque Affairs Officer Haji Amran bin Haji Mohd Salleh from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Twenty Royal Brunei Navy personnel and national flag-carriers from the army cadets, police cadets and fire and rescue cadets marched in for the hand-over and received the giant national flag from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The 37-member Berakas Secondary School choir sang the national anthem, accompanied by the Royal Brunei Police Band.
The ceremony was enlivened with the performance of two patriotic songs – Bendera Negara and Berkibarlah Bendera. Following a miniature flag-waving was the presentation of flags and National Day posters to district officers.
A similar ceremony was held at the Brunei-Muara District Office, with its District Officer Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim attending as guest of honour. LegCo members, mukim penghulus and village heads from the district also attended.
Acting Penghulu of Mukim Berakas ‘B’ and Village Head of Zone 3 RPN Lambak Kanan Haji Mahir bin Mohd Yusof led the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah.
The guest of honour presented the national flag to the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) for hoisting, accompanied by the national anthem. The Syababul Bahir Choir performed Bendera Negara and Berkibarlah Bendera.
The ceremony continued with the guest of honour presenting national flags and appreciation certificates to penghulus and representatives from associations, the private sector and NGOs.
In the Belait District, the ceremony was held at the Menara Cendera Kenangan Recreational Park, with Belait District Officer Ramlee bin Haji Jamudin overseeing the ceremony.
LegCo member cum Penghulu of Mukim Liang Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin, LegCo member cum Village Head of Kampung Labi I and Acting Penghulu Mukim Labi Yang Berhormat Hanapi bin Mohd Siput, government department heads, mukim penghulus, village heads and representatives of private associations and local companies also attended.
Assistant Belait District Officer Mohammad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed led the flag bearers to the venue.
RPN of Kampong Pandan Mosque Imam Muhammad Nor Islam bin Mohd Suria led the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat.
RBPF personnel hoisted the national flag as the Perdana Wazir Secondary School choir belted out the national anthem and Bendera Negara. The Belait District Officer presented to the penghulus national flags that are to be hoisted in their mukims.
Meanwhile, at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), the ceremony saw Vice-Chancellor Datin Dr Hajah Anita Binurul Zahrina binti Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Wijaya Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Aziz attend as the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah followed with Doa Allah Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam led by UBD Imam.
The national flag was handed over to Dean of Student’s Affairs Saidai bin Haji Hitam, who passed it to the vice-chancellor, who then presented it to the UBD Cadet team. The UBD choir, lecturers, officers and students sang the national anthem and Berkibarlah Bendera.
Effective yesterday, all citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam are required to hoist the national flag at their homes, as well as office and business buildings. Additionally, decorative lights are to be installed at government and private sector buildings.
Pengiran-pengirans and titled persons are required to hoist their respective flags. The hoisted flags must adhere to the stipulated rules and procedures, and be in good condition.