| Wani Roslan, Daniel Lim & Noorhamizan Haji Mohd Mosbi |
LOWERING ceremonies of the giant national flag were held across the country yesterday, marking the conclusion of the 72nd birthday celebration 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.
The guest of honour at the ceremony held at the open area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital was Mohd Amir Hairil bin Haji Mahmud, the Permanent Secretary (Safety, Welfare and Law) at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and the Deputy Co-Chairman of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty’s 72nd Birthday Celebration.
Also present were other members of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty’s 72nd Birthday Celebration, together with heads of departments, deputy heads of departments, mukim penghulus, village heads and representatives of the private sector.
The proceedings commenced with a mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by Haji Ali Yusof bin Haji Arshad, the Imam of the Kampong Pelambayan Mosque.
This was followed by the entrance of 72 flag-bearers from the Fire and Rescue Department, the Prisons Department and the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), to the accompaniment of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) Band.
A choir group then performed the national anthem, Allah Peliharakan Sultan, while the giant national flag was slowly lowered by RBN personnel and presented to the guest of honour.
In the Belait District, the flag-lowering ceremony was held at the Menara Cendera Kenangan Recreational Park in Kuala Belait with Acting Belait District Officer Haji Mohd Zamree bin Haji Junaidi as the guest of honour.
Also present were members of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty’s 72nd Birthday Celebration in the Belait District, Legislative Council (LegCo) members, heads of departments, mukim penghulus and village heads.
The ceremony began with the entrance of the flag-bearers from the Royal Brunei Police Force who assumed their positions in a line beside the flag-mast.
The national anthem was performed by choir groups from St John’s School and RPN Kampong Panaga, while the giant national flag was lowered and handed over to the Acting Belait District Officer.
A Doa Selamat was recited by Imam of STKRJ Lorong Tiga Selatan Seria Mosque Shahirwandy bin Samsudin marking the end of the ceremony.
In the Temburong District, the ceremony was held at the Pekan Bangar Waterfront, with Acting Temburong District Officer Haji Adnan bin Haji Adam as the guest of honour.
Also present were LegCo member and Penghulu of Mukim Bokok Yang Berhormat Haji Emran bin Haji Sabtu as well as members of the National Executive Committee for His Majesty’s 72nd Birthday Celebration in the Temburong District.
The ceremony began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Imam of the Utama Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar Haji Mohd Yussof bin Haji Ahad.
The giant national flag was lowered to the accompaniment of the national anthem, and then presented to the guest of honour. The lowering of the giant national flag signifies the end of the flag-raising period for all citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with His Majesty’s 72nd birthday celebration for 2018.
In view of this, members of the public are required to lower their national flags at private residences, government buildings and commercial business premises.