Rokiah Mahmud, Daniel Lim & James Kon
Flags were hoisted nationwide as the country prepares to celebrate its 38th National Day.
The giant-sized Brunei Darussalam national flag was hoisted, marking the start of nationwide National Day celebration at the open area of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex In the capital.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin attended the ceremony.
The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Allah Peliharakan Sultan dan Brunei Darussalam by Mosque Officer of Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Begawan Mudim Haji Abdul Latif bin Haji Saman.
It was followed with Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) personnel marching to the entrance and lining up to hand over and receive the giant-sized national flag from Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan followed with the singing of the national anthem Allah Peliharakan Sultan.
The minister presented national flags and posters in conjunction with the 38th Brunei Darussalam National Day celebration to District Officers nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Brunei-Muara District Office held its flag hoisting ceremony and distribution at its theatre hall and parking area yesterday.
Acting Brunei-Muara District Officer Aminuddin bin Haji Buntar was the guest of honour.
The ceremony witnessed the guest of honour handing over the national flag to Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) personnel for the flag hoisting ceremony.
Attendees proceeded to the theatre hall for the distribution of the national flags and presentation of certificates of appreciation to penghulus, associations, private agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Meanwhile, Mukim Serasa and Mukim Mentiri Zone II held its flag hoisting ceremony at the RPN Kampong Mentiri Community Hall yesterday.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa by Acting Village Head of RPN Kampong Panchor Mengkubau Mohammad Helmy bin Haji Ahmad.
Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Mohamed bin Pengiran Haji Osman @ Othman who is also Acting Penghulu of Mukim Serasa and Village Head of Kampong Masjid Lama, Sabun and Pelumpong attended the ceremony.
The flag bearers comprising village heads and acting village heads for Zone II, Mukim Serasa and Mukim Mentiri marched in to the area, followed by Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Mohamed hoisting the flag and the singing of the national anthem.
In the Belait District, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Menara Cendera Kenangan along Jalan Sungai, Kuala Belait yesterday.
Acting Belait District Officer Mohamad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed was the guest of honour. LegCo members Penghulu of Mukim Liang Yang Berhormat Haji Abdul Hamid bin Haji Mumin and Acting Penghulu of Mukim Labi Yang Berhormat Hanapi bin Mohd Siput also attended.
Penghulus, village heads, selected heads of departments and divisions, as well as representatives from private companies and associations in the district were also present.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat by Mosque Affairs Officer at the RPN Kampong Pandan Mosque Abdul Qayyuum bin Haji Aminuddin, followed by the handing over of the national flag by the guest of honour to an RBPF personnel.
The raising of the national flag was accompanied by the singing of the national anthem.
Mohamad Yassin also presented national flags to penghulus and village heads.
Meanwhile, the Tutong District flag hoisting ceremony took place at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex yesterday.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa by Kampong Kupang Mosque Imam Sahlan bin Haji Mohd Safar.
Acting Tutong District Officer Mohammad Amirul Hadi bin Haji Md Tajudin was the guest of honour.
A delegation led by Special Duties Officer Grade II Mohammad Haazeq bin Arsad marched to the area and presented the national flag to the guest of honour, who then passed the flag to an RBPF personnel.
Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) army cadet members also participated. A choir group from Wira Bangsa performed Bendera Negara.
Mohammad Amirul Hadi handed over national flags to Penghulus and acting Penghulus.
LegCo members, village heads and officials were present.
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) through its Student Affairs Office also held a flag hoisting ceremony at the university’s Zone A parking lot yesterday.
UNISSA Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal was the guest of honour.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah followed with a march-past comprising UNISSA’s uniformed team including army cadet, police cadet, fire and rescue cadet; and Rover Scout Crew 1102 and Red Crescent team.
Prior to the flag hoisting ceremony, the UNISSA’s Rector inspected the UNISSA’s uniformed teams and handed over the national flag to Police Cadet Norazatul Amal Nadhirah @ Norhafrina binti Norariffin as team head.
The event continued with the singing of the national anthem and concluded with recitation of Doa by 91383 Soldadu Army Cadet Muhd Aiman Syafiq bin Ajari.
Brunei Darussalam citizens and residents are urged to fly the national flag at their residences, office buildings and commercial premises with colourful lights for both government and private sectors until February 25.
Pengirans and those bestowed with titles must hoist their personal flags. The public must ensure that hoisted flags are in good condition and not faded or torn.
