| Wani Roslan |
BRUNEI Darussalam will celebrate National Family Day on May 5 – the first Sunday of May – centred on the theme Keluargaku Harapanku (My Family, My Hope).
The announcement was made during the first meeting of the Executive Committee for the National Family Day celebration at the DiGadong Hall of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) yesterday.
Chairing the meeting was Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, in his role as Chairman of the Executive Committee for the National Family Day 2019 celebration.
Among the agenda for the meeting included discussions on the preparation and format for the celebration’s main events, comprising religious, community, sports and leisure activities.
“Indeed, our trust to raise awareness about the importance of family institutions and the ongoing efforts to strengthen them is essential in ensuring that the well-being and welfare of the community are guaranteed as a whole,” the minister said in his welcoming remarks.
He emphasised the importance of the meeting in ensuring that the activities for the National Family Day 2019 celebrations are carried out smoothly.
“This is a critical factor that will directly contribute to the country’s security, prosperity and progress as well as the achievement of Brunei Vision 2035.”
He said that activities for last year’s celebrations increased to 34 from 27 for the National Family Day 2017 celebrations, adding that the actual figure could be higher if the activities carried out in the mukims and villages – including private events – are accounted for.
“Kesyukuran ceremonies were also simultaneously held in the main mosques throughout the country during last year’s National Family Day celebration, a first for the event,” the minister said.
He added that on a whole, the National Family Day celebration has shown positive results in promoting family values.
“This can be seen in the increase in family members coming to the Community Development Department (JAPEM) to improve their family relationships, especially those with members having drug abuse problems,” he said.
“Hence in an effort to further improve the impact of this year’s celebrations, plans have been made for youth and mukim and village institutions to play a more significant role in the operation of the celebration, as they also have an important role [to play] in strengthening family institutions in the country.”
The minister called on all parties – from the government and non-government sectors, private sector, associations, youth groups, institutions and leaders – to work together with full commitment to make the celebration a success, to instil within society a culture and practice of loving family.
The National Family Day 2019 celebration will begin with Kesyukuran in the main mosques throughout the country on May 2, followed by the Anakku Kesayanganku event on May 6.
The highlight of the celebrations will be the Riadah Keluarga Harmoni event on August 4 and the Riadah Berbasikal event held in conjunction with the National Youth Day celebration. Family gathering ceremonies will also be conducted in every district.
This year’s National Family Day celebration is jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Health and MCYS, and supported by other government agencies, private sector bodies and NGOs.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, representatives of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), as well as senior officials and officers from government agencies and NGOs.