| Rokiah Mahmud |
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 has consented to attend several major events in conjunction with the 34th Brunei Darussalam National Day, together with members of the royal family.
These events constitute the Kesyukuran ceremony, together with congregational prayers and recitation of Surah Yaasiin; the Grand Assembly for the 34th National Day; and the ‘Kayuhan Semangat Hari Kebangsaan’ cycling event.
This was highlighted by Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in her capacity as Co-Secretary of the Executive Committee for the 34th National Day celebrations, during a press conference held yesterday at the Conference Room of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
During the conference, Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila shared information on the main celebrations, as well as the side-events and preparations for the 34th National Day.
“The theme of ‘Accomplishing the National Vision’ (Menjayakan Wawasan Negara) will be retained, with the celebrations scheduled to begin at 7.30am on February 24, at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the capital,” she said.
“The theme focusses on the accomplishments of Brunei Vision 2035, by stressing the important roles which need to be fulfilled by all residents and citizens in every sector, towards the country’s development, with collective efforts towards ensuring the success and achievements of the vision.
“Meanwhile, the National Day logo has been improved on, so that it will be suitable for this year’s celebrations,” she added.
The permanent secretary also announced that rehearsals for the on-field performances, involving 7,000 students and civil service personnel, are being actively carried out at schools and sports complexes, including the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Berakas.
A full-dress rehearsal will be conducted on February 20 and 22, at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
This year, 138 teams involving 23,000 participants have registered for the march-past, which is divided into the following clusters: National Security, Bestari Community, Civil Service, Socio-Economy, Post-Secondary Education, Secondary Education, Private Education, Mosque Takmir Groups, Professional Organisations, Youth Movements, Women’s Associations, General Associations and Oustanding Teams.
In the meantime, a miniature flag distribution ceremony will take place simultaneously at all primary, secondary and religious schools, including private educational institutions, in the Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Temburong districts today.
Among the schools involved are Sayyidina ‘Othman Secondary School in Kampong Bukit Beruang (Tutong) where Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar, Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara, in his capacity as the Deputy Co-Chairman of the Executive Committee for the 34th National Day celebration will be the guest of honour.
The same ceremony will be held in the Belait District, on February 19.
A hoisting of the giant-sized national flag will take place tomorrow, at the open area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital, witnessed by Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his capacity as Chairman of the Executive Committee for the 34th National Day celebrations.
The Kesyukuran ceremony, together with mass Maghrib and Isyak prayers and recitation of Surah Yaasiin and Doa Kesyukuran will take place on February 22, beginning at 5.45pm. The main centrepieces will be the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong; the Mohammad Jamalul Alam Mosque in Kuala Belait; and the Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar.
To further enliven the celebrations, the Kayuhan Semangat Hari Kebangsaan has been scheduled for February 25, starting at 7am, at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
The lowering ceremony of the giant-sized national flag will be held at 2.15pm on February 25, with Dato Paduka Awang Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, the Deputy Minister of Finance, as the guest of honour.
The side-programmes for this year’s National Day will be carried out in the form of Belia Cinta Tanah Air, on February 19-24; the Brunei Gastronomy Week from February 23 to March 11; the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Brunei Golf Championship on March 7-10; a 34 times Khatam Al-Quran on March 8; the National Day Run 2018 on March 11; and a Choral Speaking Competition on March 11.
Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila advised all agencies planning to organise celebratory side-events to submit their requests to the 34th National Day Secretariat, for further consideration.
At the end of the press conference, she called on all Muslim citizens and residents to participate in the Kesyukuran ceremony as well as in the Grand Assembly for the 34th National Day.
The press conference was attended by members of the Working Committee for the 34th National Day Celebration 2018, which included the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Hamri Aslan bin Haji Abu Hanafiah, as the Acting Head of Operations at the Traffic Control and Investigation Department of the Royal Brunei Police Force as a representative of the Co-Chairman of the Traffic and Security Committee; Razali bin Badar, Protocol Officer at the Department of Adat Istiadat Negara, as a representative of the Co-Chairman for the Invitations and Protocol Working Committee; Ali bin Metussin, the Assistant Director at the Land Transport Department, as a representative of the Co-Chairman for the Transport Working Committee; Ali Termizzi bin Haji Ramli, Information Officer at the Information Department, as a representative for the Co-Chairman of the Working Committee for Media and Publicity; and the Secretariat of the 34th National Day celebrations.
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