His Majesty takes centre-stage By Za'im Zaini & Aemy Azlena Photo: Info Dept His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), consented to attend a Regimental Dinner to mark the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) 46th Anniversary at the Officers' Mess in Berakas Garrison last night. His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, General RBAF. Also present were Prince Abdul Fattaah and Prince Abdul Mu'Min. Upon arrival, His Majesty and HRH the Crown Prince were greeted at the Officers' Mess in Berakas Garrison by the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Defence, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, and the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof. The national anthem was then played at the arrival hall before His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince consented to mingle with the Service Commanders and Commandants, senior officers and officers of the RBAF. His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince later consented to take a group photo before attending the dinner. His Majesty and His Royal Highness as well as the RBAF senior Officers then proceeded to the dining hall for the Regimental Dinner with the RBAF Orchestra striking up. After dinner, His Majesty and His Royal Highness consented also to take up the baton and lead the RBAF band. Prior to departure, His Majesty and His Royal Highness once again received the 'junjung ziarah' from the senior officers and officers of the Ministry of Defence and RBAF. The evening ended with His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince consenting to sign the royal parchments in conjunction with the traditional RBAF Regimental Dinner. The Regimental Dinner is a customary event held by the RBAF to celebrate the RBAF anniversary held every year. This year's 46th RBAF anniversary theme is " Iltizam Memperkasa Pertahanan Negara" to be held on May 31s where 16 events including a massive parade and an arena performance is expected to be showcased at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium. His Majesty is expected to officiate at the event by reviewing a guard of honour and march-past by the assembled officers and personnel of the RBAF at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. Dubbed Bridex 2007, Brunei's much anticipated first-ever International Defense Expo 2007 promises to draw a spectacular turn-out from major leading international defence manufacturers to showcase the sultanate in the global arena. The monarch is expected to declare open Bridex 2007 at the International Convention Center. It has already attracted 108 exhibitors from 18 countries, of which 85 per cent are foreign companies. Themed "Investing in Technology", Bridex 2007 will be concentrating on three new security paradigms that are currently the newsmakers with the cutting-edge technological innovations that come with it: homeland security, command and control, computers and information (C41) and unmanned aerial vehicles. - Borneo Bulletin (27th May 2007)