By Za'im and Haji Minor Absah
Thousands from all walks of life turned up at the Community Hall in Pekan Bangar for the Royal Get-Together, as yesterday was Temburong District's turn to greet His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with the monarch's 60th birthday celebrations.
A cultural performance was held at the event. Two of the participants of the show, Dyg Noraini Binte Awg Gaib and Nurul Insyirah Bte Hj Isa from Sekolah Menengah Sultan Hassan, said that they had been practicing for two months. They were happy with their performance. They had volunteered to be involved in the show and they saw their participation as their gift to His Majesty.
Ethnic groups such as the Murut or Lun Bawang, Iban, Chinese and Malay, were dressed in their traditional attire for the grand cultural performance.
According to Ampuan Ismail, a 19-year-old Malay participant, the event gave them a great opportunity to meet His Majesty as well as to get to know people of other races and to learn more about each other's culture.
Mathew John, a 21-year-old from Kampong Tanjung Bungar Baru, said that he participates in several major events annually. He noticed that this year's event was much livelier and better as there was a new stage and a monument. He believed this was the grandest Royal Get-Together so far. He was thankful to have been given the chance to participate again this year.
Also grateful to have been invited to participate in this year's event were representatives from POLSARA Temburong Branch or Association of Retirees of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Temburong Branch.
According to Haji Abdul Halim Hj Ahmad, Head of the Association of Retirees of the Royal Brunei Police Force, Temburong Branch, Temburong is the first district to have invited their association to participate in the Royal Get-Together. He said they were delighted to have been invited to show their loyalty and affection for His Majesty, even though they have retired from the force.
Senior citizens were also among the thousands of spectators. Eighty-seven-year-old, Hjh Zaleha Binte Jaafar from Kg Magelang, and 72-year-old Gendol Anak Jaeam revealed that they came to pay tribute to His Majesty for showing his concern for senior citizens.
- Borneo Bulletin
(20th July 2006)
