Abu Bakar bin Haji Wahsalfelah from Kampong Jerudong was among the parents representing their children as recipients of the kurnia peribadi, 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 personal gift, yesterday at Istana Nurul Iman.
Speaking to the Bulletin, he shared that he was accompanying his son, Mohammad Zulkarnain bin Abu Bakar, who has mild autism. This is only the second time his son has received the personal gift; the first was last year at Bridex Hall in Jerudong, as they had been abroad for the previous 12 years.
“We were away for more than 10 years as my wife was posted as third secretary at the Brunei Darussalam Embassy in the Philippines for seven years and then posted to the Brunei Darussalam High Commission in the United Kingdom (UK) for five years.”
They were living in the UK when they discovered that their son, then two years old, appeared to have developmental issues. They decided to have him checked and assessed, after which he was referred by the National Health Service (NHS) to a specialist centre for follow-up and treatment, which was covered by the UK government through the hospital he attended.
Abu Bakar, who works at the Land Department, expressed his gratitude to His Majesty for the kurnia bestowed upon his son for the second time, which demonstrates the monarch’s sensitivity towards the welfare of his citizens, especially those with special needs, the underprivileged, orphans as well as the poor and needy, regardless of race.
Another recipient was 10-year-old Muhammad Arsyad Al-Waqqas bin Mohamad Zairulnizam, who also has mild autism and has been receiving the kurnia since 2020.
During that time, it was delivered to their home due to the global pandemic, shared his mother, Nurul Jannah binti Hassan.
For the past two years, he had received it at the International Convention Centre and Bridex Hall, and this year, she is grateful to have her son among the thousands selected to receive it at Istana Nurul Iman.
Aside from the monthly allowance provided by the government, as well as the carer’s allowance, the personal gift additionally eases the burden of preparing for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities.
“Junjung kasih, Your Majesty. We are very grateful and fortunate to be receiving the kurnia again this year, as not everyone receives it; it is their rezeki. We will definitely put this kurnia to good use for our son.”
She added that the act of giving this personal gift portrays His Majesty as the people’s monarch, who is always concerned for the well-being of his subjects and as a citizen, she is proud to be a Bruneian living under the wise and generous leadership of His Majesty.
Pengiran Haji Saufi bin Pengiran Haji Salleh, a member of the Royal Brunei Airlines aircrew, is also a parent of a child with mild autism and speech delay, and was among the accompanying parents yesterday.
His 12-year-old son, Awangku Mohd Misyahry bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Saufi, has been receiving the kurnia for the past seven years, for which he is always grateful and expressed his gratitude to His Majesty for bestowing his son with the personal gift this year.
“His Majesty has always been seen as a very caring monarch who is always concerned for the welfare of his loyal subjects and bestowing his personal gift is another display of a true monarch who is very close to his people and generous in sharing the kurnia with his people.”
He prayed that His Majesty and the royal family would be blessed with longevity, good health and prosperity. – Lyna Mohamad
