| Lyna Mohamad |
AN EARLY morning drizzle failed to dampen the spirit of patriotism as thousands of jubilant citizens and residents converged in the capital in the wee hours yesterday to celebrate Brunei Darussalam’s 34th National Day.
As the sun rose, the weather turned bright at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien where over 23,000 parade participants and over 7,000 field performers put up a spectacular show to mark the grand annual event.
As 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 arrived, the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien was awash with a multitude of colours as thousands, young and old marched in unison across the field’s stretch in a great show of patriotism and loyalty.
Upon arrival at the Taman, His Majesty was greeted by 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, and 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, as well as other members of the Executive Committee for the 34th National Day Celebration.
The monarch was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
His Majesty then consented to inspect the royal guard of honour mounted by personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Royal Brunei Police Force.
Highlighting this year’s theme of ‘Accomplishing the National Vision’, 23,000 participants from 138 teams joined in the march-past which was 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 outstanding teams.
Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah was among the participants of the march-past in which Her Royal Highness led the team of excellent achievers along with Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar.
After the march-past a field performance was showcased jointly by trainees of the Brunei National Service Programme (PKBN) and students from several primary schools. This was followed by another march-past comprising higher learning institutions, colleges, schools, associations, foreign associations in Brunei Darussalam and the excellent achievers team.
The event then saw the proclamation of oath by a team of 42 oath readers comprising government officers from all ministries who were selected from the 200 candidates, led by Superintendent of Fire and Rescue Pengiran Azizul Rahman bin Pengiran Haji Yusof, followed by three calls of ‘Allahu Akbar’.
The highlight of the 34th National Day Celebration was a field performance showcased by a total of 7,034 participants that reflected solidarity among the people in upholding the commitment to realise Brunei Vision 2035.
Segment I of the performance displayed the importance of warm ties between the monarch and the people.
Segment II demonstrated people’s role in achieving Brunei Vision 2035 and Segment III was for appreciating His Majesty’s titah in conjunction with the New Year 2018.
Specially composed songs to support these three segments enlivened the field performance.
Before leaving the Taman, His Majesty consented to meet and greet the participants as a show of appreciation for their committed efforts to make the 34th National Day Celebration a big success, despite the hot weather.