Their Majesties grace Royal Banquet for Brunei’s uniformed personnel

|     Aziz Idris     |

CLAD in ceremonial attire, thousands of the nation’s uniformed personnel attended 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’s 72nd birthday banquet, held at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday night.

The palace’s Banquet Hall was filled with guests from Brunei’s multi-level security agencies as well as uniformed organisations and associations.

When His Majesty arrived with Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam at the main Banquet Hall, the guests stood as a mark of respect.

Accompanying Their Majesties were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, 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.

Also in attendance at the grand feast 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 Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman; 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.

To bless the occasion, a Doa Selamat was read by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

Towards the end of the banquet, Their Majesties and members of the royal family proceeded to meet and greet the guests.

Those attending the banquet comprised personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force, Fire and Rescue Department, Prisons Department, National Service Programme (PKBN), Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association, Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society as well as army and police cadets and members of several other organisations.

The annual Royal Banquet for uniformed personnel signifies His Majesty’s appreciation for their continuing efforts and dedication in promoting peace, security and stability for the development of the country.