The Postal Services Department under the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications issued a new set of 2024 definitive stamps yesterday in conjunction with the 40th National Day celebration.
The new stamps comes in nine denominations – 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, BND1, BND2, BND5, BND10, BND50 and BND100 – and in nine colours.
The BND50 and BND100 stamp denominations have the highest value and are being issued for the first time throughout the history of issuance of definitive stamps by the department.
The definitive stamps feature the portrait 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 during the Golden Jubilee celebration to mark His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne on October 5, 2017.
The stamp’s design is taken from the traditional Brunei tenunan pattern known as the ‘Arap Gagati Bunga Putar’ used during His Majesty’s coronation on August 1, 1968. The nine colours of the definitive stamps were obtained from the Department of Adat Istiadat Negara, representing the colours of the personal flag of His Majesty and the royal family.
Haji Mohamad Hashim bin Haji Osman; and a customer with the definitive stamps. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI & LYNA MOHAMAD
Seri Complex Post Office branch manager Juliwati binti Haji Jumat said, “This marks a milestone for the department. As members of the postal service, we did not expect that the new official stamps would also come in high values.
“The sale of these definitive stamps and first day covers (FDCs) are not commemorative stamps to mark the National Day but is the new production of our official stamps for postage. We are taking this special date to mark our new production of these official stamps.”
“The official stamps will be used for the normal postal operations at a later date. For now it is sold in a set to mark its new production after over a decade,” she said.
“We hope more people will be interested in collecting stamps not only among adults but also youth and children as stamps are still relevant. Juliwati hoped that there will be initiatives in the near future to draw interest among the younger generation to engage in stamp collecting through collaborations with the private sector including competitions and activities.
Meanwhile, Haji Mohamad Hashim bin Haji Osman from Kuching, Malaysia was the first person to purchase the FDCs and definitive stamps.
The 78-year-old was coincidentally in Brunei to attend a relative’s wedding and did not want to miss the chance to own the FDCs of the new 2024 definitive stamps.
“I found out that a new set of 2024 definitive stamps was released today to commemorate Brunei Darussalam’s 40th National Day celebration. I felt fortunate on being able to purchase the new stamps. It’s a historic day for me,” said Haji Mohamad Hashim.
“I have been collecting stamps since I was 13. I now have over 100,000 pieces of stamps collected not only from Malaysia but also from many foreign countries comprising stamp artefacts and FDCs. One of my prized stamps is an original stamp of Raja Sir Charles Brooke.” He hoped to display his stamp collection in the future to encourage the younger generation to collect stamps as it has a historic educational value.
The new official stamps were on sale at all post offices across the country yesterday except the Lumapas Post Office. – James Kon & Lyna Mohamad
