Adib Noor, Daniel Lim, Azlan Othman & Rokiah Mahmud
The national flags hoisted on February 16 were lowered nationwide marking the end of the 39th National Day celebration yesterday.
The lowering of the giant sized national flag at Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex open area yesterday was attended by Deputy Minister (Civil Service Governance) at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos.
Also present were permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and members of the Supreme Working Committee for Brunei’s National Day celebration.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Allah Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam by Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque’s imam Khairul Ariffin bin Haji Yusop.
It was followed by Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) personnel, army and police cadets, Fire and Rescue Department cadets and National Service Programme (PKBN) alumni marching onto the ceremonial ground.
RBN personnel then lowered the flag before handing it over to Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza. The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) brass band played the national anthem to mark the end of the ceremony.
Meanwhile, in the Tutong District, the ceremony was attended by Acting Tutong District Officer, Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri as the guest of honour.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Kampong Menengah Mosque imam Azim Shah bin Abdul Rahman.
The event saw RBPF personnel lowering and handing over the national flag to the guest of honour.
In the Belait District, the ceremony was held at Menara Cendera Kenangan attended by Acting Belait District Officer Haji Amirol Hafidzin bin Haji Muhammad as the guest of honour.
The event began with the marching of the flag bearers, comprising RBPF personnel, followed by the singing of the national anthem, performed by the choir group of Belait Sixth Form Centre (PTEB). The national flag was lowered and folded by the flag bearers, before being handed to the guest of honour.
The recitation of Doa Selamat by Pekan Seria Mosque imam Mohd Shahirwandy bin Samsudin marked the conclusion of the event.
Yesterday also saw events across the Sultanate to mark the 39th National Day. Among them was the Kampong Sungai Besar Mosque congregation with a Khatam Al-Quran ceremony after the dawn prayer.
It was attended by Acting Village Chief of Kampong Sungai Besar, Kampong Serdang and Sungai Belukut Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Haji Awang Zaini bin Haji Awang Damit and adviser of the mosque takmir committee Haji Mohiddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman.
At Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (TASKA YSHHB), 463 students celebrated the National Day at the hall, attended by acting principal of TASKA YSHHB Hajah Mariam binti Haji Ladi.
The students formed the number 39 to commemorate the nation’s 39th year of independence and marched around the school premises waving the national flag.
Meanwhile, in the Tutong District, the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) Library held a mobile library service at Bukit Beruang Primary School. Some 62 Year 3 students took part in the initiative aimed at expanding the knowledge on Brunei’s history. Other objectives included raising awareness that libraries serve as knowledge resources and a venue to organise beneficial activities for the community.
