By James Kon
The official celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 60th birthday begins today following the national flag hoisting ceremony, yesterday morning in front of Yayasan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah complex in the heart of the capital.
The arrival of the guest of honour, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Paduka Awang Hj Adanan Bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Mohd. Yussof, the Minister of Home Affairs, marked the start of the ceremony.
This was followed by the marching of 60 officials from the Fire Services and Rescue department together with the Prison Department walking tall bearing the national flag to the ground of the ceremony.
The Minister of Home Affairs who is also the advisor for the committee on the gigantic national flag hoisting ceremony in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 60th birthday then proceeded to hand over the national flag to the personnel of the Royal Brunei Navy.
Some 20 officers from the Royal Brunei Navy joined together to hoist the national flag onto a flagpole in front of the open area of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
This was followed by singing of the national anthem by choirs from the Language and Literature bureau, the Brunei Muara District Office, Municipal Department of BSB, Fire Services and Rescue Department as well as students. Music was performed by the Royal Brunei Police Force band.
The choir teams also sang " Lagu Bendara Negara" and other songs in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan Dan Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 60th birthday.
Before concluding the ceremony, The Minister of Home Affairs presented the official national flags measuring to the four District Officers to be used in flag hoisting ceremonies in their respective districts.
Among invited guests present at the auspicious occasion were members of the Legislative Council, as well as senior officials from the various government agencies and Ministries.
- Borneo Bulletin
(2nd July 2006)
