James Kon, Azlan Othman, Daniel Lim & Adib Noor
The spirit of patriotism was prevalent nationwide yesterday as the Sultanate geared for its 39th National Day.
The giant national flag was hoisted during a ceremony at the open area of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, marking the start of the National Day celebration.
Chair of the executive committee of the 39th National Day celebration Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad was the guest of honour.
The ceremony commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam, followed by members of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and flag bearer, comprising military cadets, fire and rescue cadets, National Service Programme (PKBN) alumni, entering the flag hoisting ground. RBN personnel then received the national flag from the minister.
The flag was hoisted in the company of the national anthem, sung by 39 government staff, officers and youth, and performed by the Royal Brunei Police (RBPF) Force brass band.
A choir also performed two patriotic songs, Berkibarlah Bendera and Bendera Negaraku, while waving miniature national flags.
The event also saw the presentation of national flags and National Day posters to district officers and acting district officers.
Meanwhile, the Brunei-Muara District Office held a national flag hoisting and distribution of national flags at its premises yesterday.
Brunei-Muara District Officer Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim presented the national flag to the RBPF contingent, who hoisted the flag, followed by the singing of the national anthem.
Misle also distributed national flags to village heads, associations, private sectors and NGOs.
Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) meanwhile held its national flag hoisting ceremony near the front of Chancellor Hall.
UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle attended as the guest of honour, joined by UBD officers, staff and undergraduates.
The ceremony began with the handing over of the national flag by the guest of honour to members of the UBD army cadet platoon to be hoisted, accompanied by the national anthem.
The ceremony continued with the performance of patriotic songs by members of the Student Representative Council and choir club as well as university staff and undergraduates.
The guest of honour then presented mini flags to UBD Student Representative Council members and UBD Student Bodies.
In the Belait District, the ceremony was held at the Menara Cendera Kenangan and attended by Acting Belait District Officer Haji Amirol Hafidzin bin Haji Muhammad.
With the arrival of the flag bearer and Assistant Belait District Officer Mohammad Yassin bin Haji Ahmed to the venue, the ceremony saw army and police cadets from the Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Secondary School and Anthony Abell College march into position.
The assistant district officer handed over the national flag to the acting district officer, who then handed it to the RBPF to be hoisted.
This was accompanied by the singing of the national anthem by the choir group from the Belait Sixth Form Centre, who also sang Bendera Negara.
The ceremony also saw the Acting Belait District Officer distribute national flags to penghulus, village heads and associations and groups based in the district.
Meanwhile, in the Tutong District, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Community Hall Complex.
Present as the guest of honour was Acting Tutong District Officer Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri.
The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and prayer by Imam of Pengiran Anak Haji Mohammed Alam Mosque Abdul Raqib bin Haji Awang.
Tutong District Assistant Officer Ajmin bin Haji Meludin led the national flag bearers, comprising army cadets, police cadets, and members of Tutong Scouts, towards the flag hoisting ground.
The guest of honour then handed the flag to RBPF personnel, as Koir Wira Bangsa members and Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School students sang the national anthem.
The guest of honour then presented national flags to penghulus to mark the end of the ceremony.
PMK Tutong also held a flag raising ceremony at Tamu Pasar Aneka Serambangun where Penghulu of Mukim Pekan Tutong Salim bin Haji Othman presented the national flag to Kampong Sengkarai Tutong Youth Group members to be hoisted at the premises.
The ceremony was the first of its kind held at the market.
