A giant-sized national flag was hoisted at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex open area yesterday to mark the beginning of the 77th birthday celebration of 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.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman distributed flags and posters to district officers and acting district officers of all four districts.
Royal Brunei Navy personnel hoisted the flag accompanied by the national anthem performed by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) brass band and 46 choir members from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP), the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department, the Labour Department and the Immigration and National Registration Department (INRD).
The event was enlivened by 77 flag bearers from INRD, Fire and Rescue Department, Prisons Department, Royal Customs and Excise Department and the National Service Programme as well as police, army and FRD cadets.
Legislative Council (LegCo) members, permanent secretaries and members of the national organising committee of His Majesty’s 77th birthday celebration were also present.
With the giant flag hoisted, Pengiran-Pengiran and individuals conferred with titles are advised to hoist their flags, while the public is required to hoist the flag, including at buildings and business premises until July 31.
Meanwhile, a flag hoisting ceremony took place at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof was the guest of honour at the event where RBPF personnel hoisted the flag.
The guest of honour also presented national flags to penghulus and representatives in the district.
In the Belait District, a similar ceremony was held at the Menara Cendera Kenangan in Kuala Belait.
Permanent Secretary (Civil Service Governance) at the Prime Minister’s Office Ajman bin Haji Meludin, the guest of honour, handed the national flags to penghulus, village heads, and other representatives in the district.
Later that afternoon, the Mukim Belait Consultative Council and the Kampong Sungai Teraban Village Consultative Council organised a flag-hoisting event at the Kampong Sungai Teraban Community Hall.
Mukim Belait Penghulu Haji Abdul Afiq bin Zainuddin was the guest of honour.
The Temburong District Office also held a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Pekan Bangar Dermaga area where Acting Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office attended as the guest of honour.
RBPF personnel were on hand to hoist the national flag. National flags were also distributed to penghulus, village heads, as well as government agencies and schools. – James Kon & Daniel Lim
