| Siti Hajar |
GOVERNMENT debts to contractors supplying for national celebrations such as National Day and royal birthdays should be a non-issue, with the consideration that allocations are in place to provide funding for such occasions.
This was stated in a titah by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
The monarch was addressing the National Executive Committee Meeting for the upcoming 70th royal birthday celebrations, at the Prime Minister’s Office, yesterday.
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.
The monarch urged the executive committee for those annual events to pay immediate attention to the issue of unsettled bills, instead of merely waiting for the next budget allocation.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam delivering a titah at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday
His Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses being greeted by the committee members
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik in a group photo with the executive committee upon arriving at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday
His Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses during the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday
Photos above & below show the executive committee members and other senior government officers at the meeting yesterday. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
Reminding on the need to be moderate, His Majesty said, “We should not have to spend too much for it to be satisfactory, especially if spending leads to waste.”
His Majesty also called on the executive committee to give serious consideration on how to observe national celebrations in a more prudent and moderate manner.
His Majesty also touched on, was the practice of collecting funds among government ministries and civil servants to finance royal birthday celebrations, which the monarch described as “unsettling”.
Though the monarch commended those who had contributed to the royal birthday fund, he said that these parties should not be burdened unless they were asked to donate for charitable causes.
“Celebrations should have limits,” said His Majesty. “They need not be overdone. It would be adequate even if we are able to enliven the celebrations through moderate means.”
His Majesty then asked for moderation to be exercised in the construction of royal arches around the country, to mark the occasion of the monarch’s 70th birthday.
In concluding the titah, His Majesty stated that the contents of his delivery would be handed over to the executive committee.
Yesterday’s meeting was opened by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs, who noted that His Majesty’s presence was a reflection of the monarch’s concern for the celebration’s outcome.
The first meeting for His Majesty’s birthday celebrations was held earlier this year, in February, which was then followed by the launching of 70 times Khatam Al-Quran ceremony, in all four districts.
The post Call for moderation in national celebrations appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.