| Daniel Lim |
A NORMALLY quiet Belait, the largest district in Brunei Darussalam, came alive to welcome its benevolent ruler yesterday.
Citizens and residents of the district turned out in large numbers 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-the-people programme and royal get-together ceremony in conjunction with His Majesty’s 71st birthday celebrations.
Belait is the third district to host the event which kicked off in Tutong on July 18. The finale of the annual royal get-together ceremony will take place at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien today.
As early as 6.30am, people from all walks of life, dressed in colourful outfits, staked out their spots and waited for the arrival of His Majesty.
The atmosphere along Jalan Maulana towards Kuala Belait Municipal Field was joyful with students waving miniature national flags as the royal motorcade passed by.
At the entrance to the square, primary school students holding ceremonial flowers welcomed His Majesty and members of the royal family as sounding of the Hadrah reverberated across the field.
Upon arrival, His Majesty 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’s 71st birthday celebration, and Haji Haris bin Othman, Belait District Officer and head of the executive organising committee for the celebration.
Also attending the royal get-together and meet-and-greet 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.
As His Majesty and members of the royal family proceeded to the royal dais, singing of the national anthem ‘Allah Peliharakan Sultan’ and the hailing of ‘Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik’ three times by penghulu mukims, village heads, members of the executive organising committee for the celebration and representatives of various organisations in the district echoed in the square.
In his welcoming speech, Haji Haris expressed gratitude and undivided loyalty on behalf of all the citizens and residents of Belait District towards His Majesty.
He highlighted the determination of the leaders at the grassroots level to enhance management, administration and productivity as well as steadfastly uphold His Majesty’s leadership in the years to come.
The event was enlivened by colourful performances themed ‘Raja Bijaksana, Wawasan Negara Perkasa’ by 871 participants who represented various communities in the district.
The highlight of the day was the tour of the field by His Majesty and members of the royal family to personally meet and greet citizens and residents. Eager well wishers reached out their hands for an opportunity to shake hands with their beloved ruler and the royal entourage with some of them whipping out their phones to take a memorable selfie.
The event also saw various organisations presenting pesambahs to His Majesty.
At the end of the tour, His Majesty and members of the royal family visited the official residence of the Belait District Officer for a royal luncheon.
The whole ceremony reflected the gratitude, affection and love of the people of Belait District towards His Majesty, their beloved king who has steered the nation towards the pinnacle of excellence and glory with justice and wisdom.
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