James Kon
“I felt blessed and thankful to receive my citizenship today. I am really proud to be a Brunei citizen. I waited for this moment for 13 years,” said Ajun Anak Majang at the 36th citizenship certificate presentation at the Chancellor Hall of Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday.
Working as a supervisor in the private sector, Ajun added, “I will continue to contribute to national development and aspirations.”
Some 659 individuals received their Brunei citizenship certificates from Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman.
Also in attendance were Legislative Council members, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs including Acting Director of the Immigration and National Registration Department Liza Suriani binti Haji Ibrahim.
The ceremony served to officially recognise new Brunei citizens following consent from 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.
The recipients comprised those who applied for citizenship under Chapter 15 of the Brunei Nationality Act, under Section 5(1) – Malay language written test, Section 6(1) – children of mothers who are Brunei citizens, children to fathers who are Brunei citizens and adopted children to parents holding Brunei citizenship and Section 5(6) – wives to husbands who are Brunei citizens.
Meanwhile, Nurol Fatin Afiqah binti Haji Maidin received the Brunei citizenship on behalf of her four-year-old son Muhammad Elfatih Ziyad bin Abdullah.
She said, “I am very thankful because I waited for almost five years to receive Brunei citizenship for my child.”
Hajah Nur Reta binti Matamit, receiving citizenship on behalf of her two-year-old son Md Waiz Rayyan, said, “I am really happy with the efficient and fast process of obtaining Brunei citizenship for my child. Citizenship can help smoothen the process of applying for the passport and other documents.“
Haji Abdul Majid bin Haji Mohammad, delivering a speech on behalf of all recipients, said, “We are grateful to His Majesty for the consent of the presentation of Brunei citizenship. This shows His Majesty’s love and care for the people of the country.”
He added, ”The ceremony today will be an unforgettable moment for the rest of our lives. It has great meaning and will give us a better and happy life.”
