| Rokiah Mahmud, Achong Tanjong, James Kon and Daniel Lim |
THE hoisting of a giant-sized national flag at the foyer next to the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex yesterday marked the start of nationwide celebrations for the 72nd 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.
Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty’s 72nd Birthday Celebration, was the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat by Mudim Haji Abdul Latif bin Haji Saman.
This was followed by a small procession of 72 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Prisons Department who marched towards the entrance and lined up around the area while carrying individual flags.
The giant-sized flag was then hoisted up the flagpole by personnel from the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) while accompanied by the national anthem performed by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) band and choir groups representing government departments, the Suara Seni Team and Sayyidina Husain Secondary School.
The minister then presented flags and rolls of posters to representatives of all four district officers for distribution among the local communities in their respective districts.
A similar flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Brunei-Muara District Office at the Old Airport in Berakas attended by the Permanent Secretary (Media and Cabinet) at the Prime Minister’s Office Mohamed Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohamed Yunos.
Also present at the ceremony were several members of the Legislative Council (LegCo).
In the Tutong District, meanwhile, the flag-hoisting ceremony took place at an open area of the Tutong Civic Centre Complex, with the Permanent Secretary (Performance) at the Ministry of Finance Norliah binti Haji Kula in attendance as the guest of honour.
As for the Belait District, the flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Menara Cendera Kenangan in Jalan Sungai, Kuala Belait. The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Nor bin Haji Jeludin was the guest of honour.
In the Temburong District, the flag-hoisting ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary (Technical and Professional) at the Ministry of Development Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin.
Citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam are recommended to fly the national flag at their respective residences, offices and commercial premises from July 1-31.