James Kon, Rokiah Mahmud & Daniel Lim
The hoisting of the giant-sized national flag yesterday marked the start of the 76th 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.
Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman handed over the flag to Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) personnel during a ceremony at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex’s open area yesterday.
The giant-sized flag measuring 3.7mx7.5m was hoisted by RBN personnel to the accompaniment of the national anthem.
After the hoisting, district officers received national flags and His Majesty’s 76th birthday celebration posters.
National flag hoisting ceremonies were also held in each district with the presentation of national flags to mukim penghulus.
The Brunei-Muara District Office also held a flag hoisting and distribution of national flags at its headquarters, where Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin was the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with the handing over of national flags by the guest of honour to the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) personnel for the flag hoisting accompanied with the singing of the national anthem and patriotic songs.
At its theatre hall, the ceremony continued with the presentation of national flags to mukim penghulus, organisations, private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Brunei-Muara District Officer Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim was present.
In Tutong District, the flag hoisting was held at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex, witnessed by Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use and Environment) at the Ministry of Development Dr Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak.
The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa led by Abdul Hadi bin Abdul Rahman of Kampong Danau Mosque. Acting Assistant Tutong District Officer Siti Maisarah Zaliqah binti Haji Ramli handed over the national flag to Acting Tutong District Officer Ajmin bin Haji Meludin, before handing it to the RBPF personnel for hoisting.
Dr Nor Imtihan also handed over national flags to mukim penghulus and representatives of organisations in Tutong District.
Army cadets, scouts and volunteers from Ma’had Islam Brunei, Muda Hashim Secondary School, Sayyidina Othman Secondary School, Tanjong Maya Secondary School, Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School, Senior Citizens Activity Centre and Tutong District Volunteers Group were also present.
A similar event took place at the Dermaga Pekan Bangar area in Temburong District, where Permanent Secretary (Policy and Fiscal) at the Ministry of Finance and Economy Hajah Norliah binti Haji Kula attended as the guest of honour.
Khairulamirin Fitri bin Haji Samsuddin of the Kampong Labu Estate Mosque led the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, before proceeding with the handing over of the national flag from Acting Temburong District Officer Awangku Abdul Rashid bin Pengiran Haji Aliudin to the guest of honour, who presented it to RBPF personnel.
Hajah Norliah also handed over national flags to acting mukim penghulus in Temburong District.
Meanwhile, in the Belait District, the flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Menara Cendera Kenangan Recreational Park, witnessed by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab.
Acting Belait District Officer Mohamad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed received the flag from the flag bearer, before handing it to the guest of honour to be handed over to the RBPF personnel.
The national flag hoisting was accompanied by the singing of the national anthem led by choir groups from Perdana Wazir Secondary School and Sayyidina Ali Secondary School.
Head Imam of Kampong Sungai Teraban Mosque Muhammad Nor Islam bin Mohd Suria led the recitations of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat.
After the hoisting, the guest of honour also handed national flags to mukim penghulus and representatives from associations based in the Belait District.
With the giant-sized national flag hoisted, Pengiran-Pengiran and individuals conferred with titles are advised to hoist their flags at their homes, while the public is required to hoist the national flag, including at buildings and business premises until July 31.
