The 21-cannon salute echoed in Bandar Seri Begawan, charging the atmosphere with a sense of excitement as 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 arrived in the capital for the grand parade for the monarch’s 77th birthday celebration yesterday.
His Majesty was greeted by students waving mini-flags lining the streets of the capital as the royal motorcade arrived at the grand stand.
Following the echoes of the cannon, the beating of hadrah rang across the field.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah.
Also in attendance were His Majesty’s special guests, which included Singaporean Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung; Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor; Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces General Chalermphon Srisawasdi; and Indonesian National Armed Forces General Dato Paduka Seri Andika Mohamad Perkasa.
His Majesty inspected the royal guard of honour mounted by 1,233 personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Police Force before the sharply dressed, uniformed personnel marched past the royal dais.
Three shouts of Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik, a pledge of loyalty and devotion, sounded out, further enlivening the atmosphere.
The event concluded with a fly-over by Royal Brunei Air Force helicopters over the ceremony. – Rokiah Mahmud
