| Azaraimy HH |
IN A splendid display of love and loyalty, some 8,000 citizens and residents of Tutong District turned out to meet their beloved ruler yesterday.
It was a golden opportunity for those who flooded the field area of Tutong District Civic Centre Complex to welcome 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 during the monarch’s meet-and-greet with the people in conjunction with His Majesty’s 71st birthday celebrations.
His Majesty’s annual get-together with the people is one of the most significant celebrations in the country’s annual calendar of events as it is a platform for the people to get up close to their much adored king.
It is the most unique event of the birthday celebration or any stately celebration in the country.
Tutong was the first leg of the monarch’s annual meet-and-greet with residents in all four districts this year.
At the field of Tutong District Civic Centre Complex, the people awaited as early as 7am, around three hours before His Majesty’s scheduled arrival by helicopter.
Upon landing at the helipad near the official residence of the Tutong District Officer, His Majesty and members of the royal family proceeded to the royal dais on the field of the civic centre complex in a motorcade.
Hundreds of ecstatic schoolchildren lined the roads leading to the dais and thousands of enthusiastic residents waited in excitement as the royal entourage made a grand entry into the field.
The roads leading to the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex were beautifully decorated with welcoming banners and elegant arches.
Accompanying His Majesty 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 Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
The arrival of His Majesty and members of the royal family was greeted by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Home Affairs, who is also the Chairman of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty 71st birthday celebrations.
The festivities commenced with the singing of the national anthem, followed by three loud cries of ‘Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik’ (Long Live His Majesty) and the pledge of loyalty read by Shamsul Bahrin bin Haji Mohd Hussain, Tutong District Officer.
In his pledge of loyalty speech, the Tutong District Officer conveyed the deep affection and gratitude of people of Tutong District towards His Majesty.
The event then saw a special performance which carried the theme ‘Raja Bijaksana, Negara Makmur, Rakyat Sejahtera’.
The colourful 20-minute performance reflected the beloved monarch’s charismatic leadership, benign characteristics and capable kingship in ensuring the wellbeing of the people and prosperity of the nation under the guiding national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy.
After the special performance, came the much-anticipated main event of the day where His Majesty, accompanied by members of the royal family, went around the field to meet, shake-hands, and chat with his subjects.
Some took the opportunity to present pesambahs to His Majesty and take photos with the monarch.
After the meet-and-greet session, His Majesty proceeded to the Tutong Civic Centre Complex for a short rest before attending a cake-cutting ceremony at the main hall of the civic centre complex.