His Majesty graces Family Day celebrations

| Wani Roslan |

IT WAS a family-friendly atmosphere in the Brunei capital yesterday, as huge crowds gathered to participate in the Family Harmony Recreation and Cycling event in conjunction with celebrations for the 6th National Family Day 2017.

The day was made even more special with the participation of 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, who led the group of cyclists in the 12km route which began at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.

Also taking part in the cycling event 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; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; and Dr Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Fattaah.

Greeting His Majesty and the royal entourage upon their arrival were Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs; Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs; Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, Minister of Health.

The 12km event was launched at around 7.30am, with the release of 20 balloons.

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 Wakeel during the cycling event. – DEAN KASSIM

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 ‘Abdul Wakeel; and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah during the cycling event. – BAHYIAH BAKIR

His Majesty signing the Family Day board. – BAHYIAH BAKIR

His Majesty during the tour. – INFOFOTO

His Majesty trying out a new bicycle. – INFOFOTO

PHOTOS ABOVE: 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 and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office participating in the celebrations. – PHOTOS: INFOFOTO & DEAN KASSIM

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah (ABOVE) and Dr Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Fattaah (BELOW) at the event. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR

Also taking part were Cabinet Ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries, permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries, and invited guests.

The route covered several main roads in the capital including Jalan Pretty, Jalan Elizabeth II, Jalan Masjid Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, Jalan Kianggeh, Jalan Sekolah, Jalan Kumbang Pasang, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama, Jalan Muhibbah, Jalan Landasan Lama, Jalan Menteri Besar, Jalan Perdana Menteri and Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha.

After circling Bandar Seri Begawan in the 12km route, His Majesty watched several families taking part in a cycling parade in group formations.

His Majesty also consented to sign an appreciation board, tour booths and exhibits set up for the Family Harmony Recreation event, while mingling with members of the public.

The day was further enlivened with fun activities of balloon-blowing, a bird show and a coconut bowling contest hosted by several mukim and village consultative councils. There was also participation from local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), together with private agencies such as Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) and Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB), promoting family-themed products.

This year’s celebrations, under the theme ‘Keluargaku Penyayang, Negara Gemilang’, is aimed at promoting national unity by combining aspects of a healthy lifestyle and leisure for all families to enjoy.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Health, with various government and private agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs).