| Rokiah Mahmud & Azlan Othman |
THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life visited the Istana Nurul Iman yesterday to convey their greetings to 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, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam and other members of the royal family as the palace opened its doors to the public for the open house in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
The auspicious three-day annual event offers citizens, residents and visitors an occasion to meet Their Majesties and the royal family and convey their best wishes for the festive season.
The first day of the event yesterday saw a total of 35,613 well-wishers visiting the Istana – 19,333 in the morning session and 16,280 in the afternoon session to grab the golden opportunity to offer Hari Raya Aidilfitri wishes to the monarch and members of the royal family.
Joining His Majesty to receive male well-wishers at the Baitur Rahmah Hall 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 ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and other members of the royal family.
Meanwhile, joining Her Majesty in an adjacent room to exchange greetings with female visitors were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
In the afternoon session, Their Majesties received a courtesy call from Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Singapore Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman and his spouse Shadiah Shahal who are currently in the country in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
During the visit, Dr Mohamad Maliki and Shadiah Shahal were accompanied by Minister of State, Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of National Development of the Republic of Singapore Zaqy Mohamad and his spouse Haryane Mustajab.
The Singaporean ministers who arrived in the Sultanate yesterday will conclude their visit on June 20.
