Lyna Mohamad, Izah Azahari & Daniel Lim
Flag lowering ceremonies were held across three districts yesterday, signalling the end of the 10-day 37th National Day celebration.
In Brunei-Muara District, the giant national flag was lowered at the open space of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital, with Deputy Minister of Development Dato Seri Paduka Ar Awang Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin attending as the guest of honour.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Youth and Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) cum Co-Chairman of the Working Committee of Hoisting and Lowering Giant-sized Flag and Small-sized Flag Distribution Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Community) at the MCYS Saidah binti Haji Wahid, committee members and senior officers from the MCYS and its departments also attended.
The ceremony opened with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa by Kampong Palembayan Mosque Imam Haji Mohamad Ali Taufiq bin Haji Abdul Rahman, followed by the marching in of Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) personnel.
Thirty-seven members of the Berakas Secondary School Choir sang the national anthem, accompanied by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) Band.
The flag was then handed over to the guest of honour.
In Tutong District, the flag was lowered at the Tutong District Civil Centre Complex, with Acting Tutong District Officer Ajmin bin Haji Meludin attending as the guest of honour.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa led by Kampong Menengah Mosque Head Imam Mohammad Azim Shah bin Abdul Rahman.
RBPF personnel lowered the flag and handed it over to the Acting Tutong District Officer in the presence of Legislative Council (LegCo) members, government department heads, mukim penghulus, village heads and acting village heads.
Meanwhile, in Belait District, the ceremony played out at Menara Cendera Kenangan Kuala Belait, with Belait District Officer Ramlee bin Haji Jamudin attending as chief guest.
LegCo member cum Mukim Liang Penghulu Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin, village heads, government department heads and representatives from the private sector and associations also attended.
The ceremony opened with the marching in of RBPF flag bearers, followed by the singing of the national anthem by the Perdana Wazir Secondary School Choir.
The national flag was lowered, folded and handed over to the Belait District Officer.
A Doa Selamat by STKRJ Lorong Tiga Selatan Seria Mosque Head Imam Noor Azhar bin Haji Harith marked the end of the event.