| Azlan Othman |
THE atmosphere was euphoric as the Green Jewel of Brunei Darussalam welcomed its benevolent monarch and members of the royal family yesterday.
Despite being the least populated district, citizens and residents, including from the remote parts of Temburong District, gathered at the Civic Centre Complex field in Pekan Bangar to grab the opportunity to greet 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 traditional meet-and-greet session with people in conjunction with His Majesty’s 71st birthday celebrations.
His Majesty’s get-together with people is one of the most important celebrations in the country’s annual calendar of events as it is a platform for the people to get up close with their much adored ruler.
Rich in unspoiled natural heritage and astounding diversity, Temburong District is the second district to host the event for citizens and residents to express their birthday wishes to their beloved ruler which started in Tutong District on August 18.
Also in attendance at the royal get-together ceremony 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 main road was decorated with neon lights, arches and national flags and the beating of Hadrah reverberated across the town, welcoming His Majesty’s motorcade.
Present to greet His Majesty and the members of the royal family were 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’s 71st birthday celebrations, and other committee members.
As the royal entourage arrived, school students and teachers in the district lined up along the road from the helipad to the Civic Centre Complex field, waving national flags to welcome the Sultan, while teachers from the Arabic Preparatory School in Temburong District displayed placards wishing ‘Sanah Helwah HM’ which means ‘Happy Birthday to His Majesty’.
“It is our new style to greet His Majesty. We wish to express our gratitude to the monarch and we are excited to be able to greet our beloved ruler,” said Assistant Principal of the school Hashidah binti Haji Awang.
“We have lined up since 8.30am and our students from Years 5 to 8 took part in the stage performances at the Civic Centre Complex. Some 80 students from the Arabic school were involved in the celebrations,” she said.
Mohd Zool Fadli bin Haji Mahbub, a teacher from Sultan Hashim Batu Apoi Primary School said over 40 students and English teachers from the Centre for British Teachers (CfBT) teaching at the school were among those who welcomed His Majesty on arrival. “At the school, the students were also involved in drawing His Majesty’s portrait, an annual tradition to show their love for the monarch,” he said.
Mohd Ali bin Abdullah, Health and Safety Manager of China State Construction Engineering which has undertaken the CC4 package for Temburong Bridge project, said on the occasion of the meet-and-greet ceremony, the company has presented a birthday cake and a souvenier in the form of a brocade titled ‘Good Luck and Prosperity’, crafted in China.
Mohd Amir Hairil bin Haji Mahmud, the Temburong District Officer, in his welcoming speech pledged undivided loyalty to His Majesty on behalf of the government servants, mukim penghulus, village heads, members of the private sector and citizens and residents of the district and expressed their unwavering support to the monarch’s leadership in ruling the nation.
The joy and gratitude of the people of Temburong District to the monarch were reflected in the stage performances that carried the theme ‘Visionary Ruler, Guided Nation’. The spectacle portrayed performances by over 400 students, officers, cadet personnel and members of Village Consultative Council who greeted His Majesty and members of the royal family.
Meanwhile, citizens and residents lined up in a specially-built tent to exchange greetings with His Majesty and the royal entourage.
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