Azlan Othman
The Information Department at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has lined up a host of activities as it marks its 70th anniversary this year.
The department held a Tahlil ceremony for Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam and Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Bendahara Pengiran Anak Abdul Rahman, the late parents of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and for His Majesty’s son Al-Marhum His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim at the Royal Mausoleum yesterday afternoon.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud and Deputy Minister of the Department of Energy at the PMO Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw participated.
The permanent secretary, deputy permanent secretaries and senior officials from the PMO also attended the event alongside more than 90 Information Department personnel.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Yaasiin, followed by Tahlil, Doa Tahlil and Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam led by Mosque Affairs Officer Haji Mohd Zaidin bin Haji Mohd Noor.
Earlier in the day, a Doa Kesyukuran was held at the Banquet Hall of the PMO, with Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti and Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo attending as guests of honour.
Ash-Shaliheen Mosque Officer Haji Mohammad Izzat Izzuddin bin Begawan Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Emran led the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Kesyukuran, before Information Department officials recited Selawat Tafrijiyyah.
A video presentation depicting the department’s progress over seven decades was shown, highlighting the services and developments notched since its establishment on April 1, 1952.
Former directors and information personnel including Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah; permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries at the PMO and the Department of Energy; Acting Director of Information Siti Bismi Nuruliman binti Haji Awang Emzah, Acting Deputy Director of Information Sastra Sarini binti Haji Julaini, as well as personnel from the PMO and Information Department also attended.