By Rosli Abidin Yahya
Decorative street and net lightings, arches and banners are being installed along major roads leading to the capital as the nation is set to celebrate the 60th birthday of its beloved ruler three weeks from now.
Workers are busy cleaning the streets, painting road dividers, trimming trees, branches, plants and grasses, and applying fresh coats of paint on buildings.
The BSB Municipal Board encourages owners within the board's jurisdiction to beautify their buildings, including cleaning and applying fresh coats of paint to celebrate the auspicious day.
Soon, national flags will be flown along the streets and on top of buildings and houses while festivity lights and arches will be lit, a week's time from now.
New and enhanced events will also be held to celebrate His Majesty's 60th birthday, such as the International Tattoo Performance 2006, Majlis Kesyukuran, Konsert Dirgahayu Emas, International Halal Products Expo, Asean Tug-of-War and Malam Rumpun Seri 60.
The international tattoo perfomance from July 29 to 31 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas will be participated by 12 countries, namely Australia, China, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and the host Brunei Darussalam.
Tickets for the event will be sold from July 3 onwards. Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries will be joining the Asean Tug-of-War Competition for the honours to win the "Sultan Challenge Trophy".
In previous years, the tug-of-war contests were only participated by Brunei and the Borneo states of Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan, Kalimantan.
Seven teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and host Brunei Darussalam are expected to take part in the Asean Tug-of-War Competition this year.
The "Malam Serumpun Seri 60" will be held for two nights at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital.
It will be attended by the VVIP and invited guests on August 5. The second night, August 6, will be open to the public.
The night will also showcase a 4-in-1 celebration comprising of a fireworks display, tug-of-war, car float procession and cultural performances.
- Borneo Bulletin
(25th June 2006)
