Flag-lowering ceremonies were held across the Sultanate yesterday to mark the conclusion of the 40th National Day celebration.
The giant-sized national flag at the open area of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in Bandar Seri Begawan was lowered in the presence of Deputy Minister (Civil Service Governance) at the Prime Minister‘s Office Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos as Deputy Co-Chair of the 40th National Day Celebration Executive Committee.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam by Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque Officer Haji Zulkfli bin Haji Murat.
The lowering of the giant-sized national flag was carried out by the Royal Brunei Navy and Army cadets, police cadets, Fire and Rescue cadets as well as National Service Programme (PKBN) Alumni, marching onto the open area of Yayasan Complex accompanied by the Royal Brunei Police Band.
The flag-lowering was accompanied by the national anthem and the lowered flag was handed over to Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza to officially mark the end of the ceremony.
The ceremony also saw students from Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic School, Rimba and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha Girls Arabic Religious Secondary School, Katok waving mini flags.
Legislative Council (LegCo) members, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, the 40th National Day Celebration Executive Committee and Working Committee members were present.
In the Belait District the ceremony at Menara Cendera Kenangan was attended by Acting Belait District Officer Haji Amirol Hafidzin bin Haji Muhammad.
The event began with the marching of the flag bearers, comprising personnel from the Royal Brunei Police Force, followed by the singing of the national anthem.
The national flag was lowered and folded by the flag bearers before being handed to Haji Amirol Hafidzin.
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of Doa Selamat by Kampong Sungai Teraban Mosque imam Mohd Nor Islam bin Md Suria.
In the Tutong District, the guest of honour was Acting Tutong District Officer Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri.
Meanwhile, in the Temburong District the ceremony was held at the Waterfront in Pekan Bangar. Acting Temburong District Officer Mohamad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed was the guest of honour.
Temburong Acting Assistant District Officer Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Suhaili as the Chairman of the ceremony and LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Sulaiman bin Haji Nasir were also present.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Kampong Labu Estate Mosque imam Haji Mohammad Sallehuddin bin Haji Suhaimi, followed by the national anthem. The flag was then lowered and handed over to Mohamad Yassin.
The ceremony signifies the end of the flag-hoisting period at government and private premises as well as residential homes of citizens and residents in the Sultanate in conjunction with the 40th National Day celebration of Brunei Darussalam. – James Kon, Daniel Lim & Adib Noor
