Adib Noor
Invited guests descended on the Banquet Hall of Istana Nurul Iman yesterday for the Royal Banquet on the occasion 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’s 76th birthday celebration.
The affair saw guests, comprising members of the royal family, state dignitaries, Cabinet ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps, high-ranking government officials and special guests, at the event hosted by His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah were also present.
Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam as well as other members of the royal family also attended.
Among the special foreign guests attending the banquet were Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and spouse Madam Ho Ching; Governor of Sarawak Tun Dato Laila Utama Pehin Sri Dr Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud and spouse Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Raghad Kurdi Taib; Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of Malaysia General Tan Sri Dato Paduka Seri Haji Affendi bin Buang and spouse Tengku Puteri Seri Teja Dato Hajah Tengku Muhaini binti Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Mustaim Billah; Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) General Dato Paduka Seri Mohamad Andika Perkasa and spouse Hetty Andika Perkasa; and former Secretary of Philippine Department of Finance Carlos Dominguez III and spouse Cynthia Andrews Dominguez.
Prior to the Royal Banquet, Brunei Darussalam’s national anthem was sung, followed by the recitation of Doa Selamat by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
Guests, all seen regally dressed in their traditional Malay costumes and formal banquet attire, were treated to a variety of sumptuous delicacies, specially prepared for the occasion by the palace’s kitchen staff.
While enjoying the food, guests were also treated to a blend of soothing and celebratory musics, performed by the bands of the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
