By James Kon
This year's get together ceremonies between His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the people on the occasion of the monarch's 61st birthday will involve all levels of the nation.
The large-scale participation of the subjects symbolises understanding, harmony, unity and support among the many levels of the community, and further demonstrates the people's strong and undivided loyalty to His Majesty.
This was stated by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Dato Hj Awang Adanan in his capacity as the chairman of the National Committee of His Majesty's 61st Birthday Celebration during the first meeting for the national committee at the Lapau's ceremonial hall yesterday morning.
Among those who will be involved in this year's grand celebration are students, youth associations, government agencies, the private sector, members of consultative councils and villages, members of the 'Kejiranan Kampong' committee, committee members of Takmir Masjid as well as villagers representing their respective mukims and villages.
The Minister of Home Affairs also congratulated members of last year's national committee and working committee responsible for His Majesty's birthday celebration for a job well done.
Besides the involvement of government agencies and the private sector, the Minister of Home Affairs was impressed by the participation of all levels in the local community last year.
Meanwhile, Pehin Hj Awang Adanan touched on "Cendera Kenangan Kekal", which was one of the projects initiated in conjunction with His Majesty's 60th birthday celebration. He said that the foundation laying ceremony was scheduled to take place this Thursday (January 11) at the area where the former Bandar Seri Begawan Immigration Control Post building is located.
The Minister of Home Affairs said that it would become a landmark that would contribute to the beauty of Bandar Seri Begawan and its surroundings, and will be part of the Bandar Seri Begawan waterfront area.
Pehin Hj Awang Adanan encouraged committee members in all four districts as well as the working committee to start making early preparations and to take active and proactive steps to ensure the smooth-running of events for His Majesty's 61st birthday celebration.
Among other agendas that were discussed at yesterday's meeting were proposals on dates, format and locations for the get together ceremonies to be held in all four districts, issues relating to the construction of decorative arches and lightings, as well as the grand celebration to be held on July 15.
(9th January 2007)
