By James Kon
The Dirgahayu 60 CD which contains songs locally produced in conjunction with the 60th Birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was launched in a ceremony at Songket Hall of International Riqzun Hotel in Jln Gadong yesterday evening.
Guest of honour who launched the Dirgahayu 60 Album was Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Hj Adnan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Home Affairs.
Also present were Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Awang Dani bin Haji Ibrahim, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, the permanent secretary of Home Affairs and officials from various government agencies.
Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Awang Adanan in his remarks highlighted that music is an effective medium in conveying messages to the listener and the songs in conjunction with His Majesty's birthday will fan vigour and generate loyalty as well as love for the Ruler, country and motherland.
He added that the songs in the Dirgahayu 60 Album should be appreciated whereby the songs can generate patriotism and nationalism among the people of the nation including youths and students.
The minister also urged local art enthusiasts including composer, lyric writers, singers and artists, to come forward and unite to continue to fight for the musical arts with better creativity and innovation.
After the speech, the guest of honour then launched the Dirgahayu 60 Album by playing the CD.
During the ceremony, Awang Haji Mohd Yusof Haji Abd Rahman, the Director of RTB presented certificates to sponsors of the Dirgahayu 60 Album and also handed over the CD to each district.
Besides a grand dinner, the guest of honour and guests also witnessed an array of songs from the Dirgahayu 60 Album performed by the singers themselves.
The Dirgahayu 60 Album comprise of 13 songs including Lagu Nasyid Puja Usia by Ustaz Hj Abd Kadir, Lagu Dirgahayu by Allahyarham Hj Idris Hj Mohammad, Rahmat, Teraju Negara and Semarak Keputeraan. The album of songs composed by local artists is ostensibly a collector's item.
- Borneo Bulletin
(1st July 2006)
