| Daniel Lim, Azaraimy HH & Lyna Mohamad |
HARI Raya Aidilfitri will be more cheerful and meaningful this year for 19,576 less fortunate Bruneians with 10,908 people from three districts receiving the Kurnia (personal gifts) from 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 yesterday.
A total of 2,206 less fortunate individuals from the Belait District, 2,570 from the Tutong District and 6,132 from the Brunei-Muara District received cash gifts in separate Kurnia presentation ceremonies held at Pusat Insani in Seria, Tutong District Civic Centre Complex and Istana Nurul Iman.
The event, held annually for the last nine years, coincides with the holy month of Ramadhan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities and shows the generosity of the caring monarch.
The granting of Kurnia illustrates the monarch’s continuous care and concern for the well-being and welfare of the subjects and residents of Brunei Darussalam, regardless of race and religion.
Of the 19,576 recipients selected to receive the Kurnia, 13,245 are from the Brunei-Muara District, 2,791 from Tutong District, 2,762 from Belait District and 778 from the Temburong District.
The presentation of His Majesty’s personal gifts will continue tomorrow at Istana Nurul Iman and the Belalong Community Hall in Pekan Bangar, Temburong District.
Belait District
Despite the squelching hot weather, thousands of less privileged people from different ethnicities and races gathered at the main hall of Pusat Insani, Seria to receive His Majesty’s Kurnia in the form of cash from His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman, as the monarch’s personal representatives.
Accompanying Their Royal Highnesses to the venue were the Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman and spouse as well as the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong and spouse.
Among the recipients were orphans, special needs individuals, individuals receiving monthly welfare assistance either from the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (MUIB) or the Community Development Department (JAPEM) as well as individuals with severe financial difficulties.
Hailing from different parts of the district, they started arriving at Pusat Insani as early as 7am.
Upon arrival at the venue, they were greeted by organisers of the ceremony who aided them in registering for the event and led them to their respective seats to wait for the call to receive the Kurnia.
To ensure that the ceremony proceeds smoothly, personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) as well as paramedics from the Ministry of Health (MoH) were on station to manage the queue and aid those who required assistance during the event.
The recipients were also offered the facility to redeem the gifts at various counters set up by Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) in the reception area of Pusat Insani.
One of the Kurnia recipients was Liew Khiun Fui, who had his left leg amputated and right leg shortened due to a serious accident in 2015. He came to the venue accompanied by his wife Rizza Payoy and his daughter.
Liew and his wife expressed their gratitude towards His Majesty for providing aid to their family and said that the Kurnia will not only help in lessening their burden of raising the family of four but also bolstering their confidence to face the realities of everyday life.
“His Majesty is always caring for the citizens of the country,” they added.
Norini binti Sarman, wife of Mohd Alihan bin Abdul Ghani who received the Kurnia on behalf of her husband, also shared the same sentiment, noting that this is the second time that she and her husband receiving Kurnia from His Majesty. The family also receives the monthly welfare assistance from JAPEM.
She said the Kurnia will help raise her six children, some of whom are still studying in school. “The gift is a symbol of the overflowing generosity of His Majesty,” she added.
Meanwhile, orphans Nurul Esfasha Eldania binti Abdullah Hakim Al Majid, Mohd Danish Ridzwan bin Abdullah Mohd Irwan, Mohd Murhakimin Zikry bin Abdullah Annuar Alishyari and Mohd Aziemie bin Abdullah Esmidiade – all are siblings/cousins, told the Sunday Bulletin that they were grateful to receive the Kurnia from His Majesty and that they plan to deposit the money as saving for the future, keeping some to buy school stationery items and books for the next school term.
Tutong District
Meanwhile in the Tutong District, a total of 2,570 individuals received His Majesty’s Kurnia in a ceremony held at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex.
Present to hand over the Kurnia as personal representatives of His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah were greeted on arrival by Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, and Minister of Health Dato Paduka Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Jaafar. Also present at the ceremony were state dignitaries, other senior ranked government officials, members of Legislative Council, mukim penghulus and village heads.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat, led by Chief Syar’ie Judge Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.
One of the recipients, Hajah Kulam binti Saudin, expressed her love and gratitude to His Majesty for the Kurnia. She said this is the second time she has received the Kurnia as a recipient in the ‘people with different ability’ category. She hoped to spend the money wisely for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ahmad, another recipient, also expressed his gratitude towards His Majesty for the Kurnia, and said he is hoping to save it for rainy days.
Meanwhile, Nur Alyaa Natasha binti Abdullah Mohd Waliyuddin said other than spending for Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, she wants to use the cash to buy schooling items and for saving. She thanked the beloved monarch for the generous and thoughtful gift.
Brunei-Muara District
It was a joyous and special day to remember for 6,132 less fortunate individuals from the Brunei-Muara District who received the Kurnia in a ceremony held at the Reception Hall and Baitur Rahmah of Istana Nurul Iman.
Present to hand over the Kurnia of His Majesty as the personal representatives of the monarch at the Reception Hall were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah.
Upon arrival at the ceremony, Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud and spouse and Minister of Finance II Dato Seri Paduka Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah and spouse.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat, led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Suhaili bin Haji Mohiddin.
Meanwhile at Baitur Rahmah Hall, presenting the Kurnia as personal representatives of His Majesty were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah.
Their Royal Highnesses were greeted on arrival by Minister of Development Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar and spouse and Minister of Energy and Industry Dato Paduka Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein and spouse. The ceremony at Baitur Rahmah began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat, led by Pehin Khatib Dato Paduka Haji Emran bin Haji Kunchang.