| Danial Norjidi & Daniel Lim |
A CEREMONY was held at the open area of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex yesterday for the lowering of a giant national flag, marking the conclusion of the celebrations for the 71st birthday 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.
Present as the guest of honour was Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) in his capacity as the Deputy Co-chairman of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty’s 71st birthday celebrations.
Other committee members, deputy permanent secretaries at the MoHA, department heads, deputy department heads, mukim penghulus, village heads, members of the private sector and other invited guests were also present.
The proceedings began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Zulkifli bin Haji Murat, from Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
Seventy-one flag bearers comprising personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Prisons Department marched in accompanied by the band of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF). Personnel from the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) then entered, also accompanied by the band of the RBPF.
The national anthem, ‘Allah Peliharakan Sultan’ was then sung by a choir group from the Language and Literature Bureau, Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department and the Ministry of Home Affairs, accompanied by band of the RBPF.
The giant national flag was then lowered by RBN personnel and presented to the guest of honour. A Doa Selamat was then recited to conclude the event.
As explained in a MoHA press release, the lowering of the giant national flag marks the end of the flag-raising period for all citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with His Majesty’s 71st birthday celebrations for 2017.
“With that, the public is required to ensure to completely lower their flags, including at residences as well as government and private buildings,” adds the press release.
A ceremony to lower the giant national flag at the recreational park in Menara Cendera Kenangan, Kuala Belait was also held to mark the conclusion of the celebrations of the 71st birthday of His Majesty in the Belait District.
Present at the event was Haji Haris bin Othman, Belait District Officer as well as committee members in charge of His Majesty’s 71st birthday celebrations in the Belait District; head of various department and branches in the Belait District, mukim penghulus and village heads from around the Belait District.
Members of the mukim and village consultative councils (MPMK) and representatives from various associations and private sector were also present.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Imam Shahirwandy bin Samsudin, Imam of Lorong Tiga Selatan Seria Mosque followed by the singing of the national anthem by the IBTE Jefri Bolkiah Campus Choir Group.
Members of the RBPF lowered the national flag and presented it to the Belait District Officer. The ceremony concluded with the reading of Doa Selamat by Imam Shahirwandy.
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