By Sonia K
The series of district visits in conjunction with His Majesty's 61st birthday ended in the Brunei-Muara District yesterday after His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam visited the other three districts over the week.
The scorching morning heat did not discourage thousands of well-wishers from all mukims in the Brunei-Muara District, including students, foreigners, uniformed personnel and various associations, together with members of the media, from gathering at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital to partake in the get together hoping for a chance to greet His Majesty and members of the royal family.
His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Azim and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik.
Upon their arrival accompanied by the sounds of "hadrah", His Majesty and the royal entourage were greeted by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Dato Paduka Haji Dani, as well as permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Brunei-Muara District Officer.
After His Majesty and other members of the royal family ascended the royal dais, the National Anthem was played and three shouts of "Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik" followed.
The Brunei-Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Md Yussop bin Bakar, delivered a speech before the start of the performances where he highlighted that more than 2000 students were taking part in the Dirgahayu 61 field performances with the theme "Cergas Ceria".
"The performances will demonstrate a blend of basic self-defence movements and healthy exercise," he said.
The District Officer also took the opportunity to thank the officers and staff members of His Majesty's government for His Majesty's consent on bonus to be paid at the end of December this year. He said that the citizens and residents of the Brunei-Muara District were happy with His Majesty's titah.
After watching the field performances which consisted of two segments and a grand finale, His Majesty and the royal entourage proceeded to the centre of Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien to receive wishes from members of the organising committee and celebration committees for His Majesty's 61st birthday celebrations, penghulus from various mukims, village heads, non-government organisations, performers, as well as Brunei-Muara District residents.
During the get-together, His Majesty consented to launch the Dirgahayu 60 Monument located at the former immigration control post in the capital. The monument is a pesambah from the citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam, as well as the private sector, in conjunction with His Majesty's 60th birthday last year.
After launching the monument, His Majesty went to the former Royal Customs and Excise building to view an exhibition.
- Borneo Bulletin
(23rd July 2007)
