James Kon, Daneil Lim & Adib Noor
The national giant-sized flag, hoisted on February 16, was lowered during a ceremony at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex open area in the capital yesterday, marking the end of the Sultanate’s 38th National Day celebration.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) Dato Seri Paduka Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin was the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) personnel marching onto the ceremonial ground, where they lowered the giant flag before handing it over to the guest of honour, accompanied by the national anthem, Allah Peliharakan Sultan, played by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) brass band.
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of Doa Selamat and Doa Allah Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam by Level 1 Imam of Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque Mohamad Hasnal bin Haji Mohamad.
Permanent Secretary (Strategy and Policy Management) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan; Deputy Permanent Secretary (Cultural) at the MCYS Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah as co-chair of the organising committee for the lowering of the national flag for this year’s national day celebration; and Permanent Secretary (Community and Culture) at the MCYS Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari werealso present.
The event was also joined by committee members and district officers nationwide.
The ceremony was conducted in adherence to the standard operating procedures, including scanning the BruHealth code, wearing face masks and social distancing.
Guests and participants were required to undergo COVID screening using the antigen rapid test (ART) kit prior to the ceremony and must have completed at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
A flag-lowering ceremony was also held at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex yesterday.
Acting Tutong District Officer Mohd Amirul Hadi bin Haji Mohd Tajuddin was the guest of honour.
The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa led by Imam of Kampong Penanjong Mosque Dilla Aiyad Kasyidi bin Ahmadi.
The event saw RBPF personnel lowering and handing over the national flag to the guest
of honour.
Legislative Council members, government department heads, mukim penghulus, village heads and acting village heads were also present.
Meanwhile, Belait District marked the end of the 38th National Day celebration with a flag-lowering ceremony at Menara Cendera Kenangan in Kuala Belait.
The ceremony began with the marching of the flag bearers, comprising RBPF personnel, followed by the singing of the national anthem, Allah Peliharakan Sultan.
The ceremony saw the national flag lowered and neatly folded by the flag bearers, before being handed over to Acting Belait District Officer Mohamad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed.
The recitation of Doa Selamat by Acting Head Religious Officer Mohammad Noorsuffian bin Haji Yahya concluded the event.
Mukim Penghulu, village heads, government department heads, and representatives from the private sector and associations in Belait District were also present.
Citizens and residents in the Sultanate are also advised to lower their flags at their premises following the ceremonies.
