By Rosli Abidin Yahya
A rehearsal for the Thanksgiving Ceremony and Declaration of Loyalty Oath to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam took place yesterday morning at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
The practice run was witnessed by Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awg Haji Adanan and his deputy, Pehin Dato Paduka Awg Haji Dani, as well as other executive committee members of the ceremony.
His Majesty and members of the royal family are expected to attend the ceremony, which will be held on the morning of August 17. The ceremony will begin with the recital of al-Quran, followed by nasyid songs and tausyeh as well as a syair recital.
The Minister of Home Affairs will lead representatives of government agencies, business associations, non-governmental organisations, higher learning institutions, colleges and schools in reciting the loyalty oath to His Majesty.
More than 8,000 people led by Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awg Haji Adanan, along with Pehin Dato Paduka Awg Haji Dani, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Department Dato Paduka Haji Eussoff Agaki, permanent secretaries from various ministries, Director-General of Public Services Department, and District Officers of Brunei-Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong, as well as penghulus of mukims are expected to participate in the loyalty oath declaration.
The convergence of various government agencies, penghulus of mukims, business associations, NGOs and students reflects the representation of the Sultanate's population of about 370,000 people at the loyalty oath ceremony.
- Borneo Bulletin
(15th August 2006)
