HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to grace the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2013 celebration yesterday at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.

Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.

Yesterday’s celebration marked the 10th celebration by YSHHB where it highlighted social (community) elements and the participants comprised of identified clusters who are stakeholders in generating the well-being of all.

With the consent of His Majesty in this year’s celebration, the foundation brought together about 1,200 participants comprising entrepreneurs, associations, students and individuals who are active in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

The participants were provided with the opportunity to understand and uphold His Majesty’s aspiration to make the ICT field as the generator towards the nation’s economic growth.

It also served to appreciate the contribution by the ICT sector in increasing the productivity, efficiency as well as the administrative and management engine values that are needed in the nation’s development and growth, establishing job opportunities and as an agent of positive social changes.

At the same time, it also served as an encouragement and catalyst to the young generation, which is synonymous with creative and innovative minds and energy to be involved in the field of ICT and to encourage them to take the opportunity to continuously explore the field of ICT for the interest of the nation’s future development.

In conjunction with the celebration, the foundation in collaboration with the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), organised a video clip competition themed “Raja Prihatin” with the objectives of cultivating a spirit of love for the monarch and inculcating patriotic spirit in developing the nation and country.

At the same time, the competition was also aimed at encouraging those in the ICT field to showcase their skills and talent in ICT for the well-being and prosperity of the country.

Yesterday’s ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz bin Juned, and followed by a welcoming speech from the Chairman of the YSHHB Board of Directors, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong.

The highlight of yesterday’s ceremony was the titah of His Majesty and followed with the announcement of first place winners of the different categories for the video clip competition and a preview of the winning video from each categories as well as prize presentation to the first place winners from each category of the video clip competition by His Majesty.

Yesterday’s ceremony was further enlivened by a Tausyeh performance by 150 students of YSHHB School comprising students from the foundation’s kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. Among them was Pengiran Wajeeh Al-Bolkiah bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad Hakimmuddin, grandson of HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.

This year’s celebration also saw YSHHB collaborating with AITI on the showcase of an exhibition themed “Menjana Industri ICT dan Media Digital Tempatan” (Generating ICT Industry and Local Digital Media) where the organiser provided 22 exhibition booths participated by several local telecommunications companies and ICT companies who have been awarded with AITI and BEDB Grant Schemes.

Also participating in the exhibition, which His Majesty and other members of the royal family toured before leaving the ceremony, were schools and colleges that have won awards at ICT competitions here and abroad as well as several related ICT companies and associations.

Among the products exhibited were several local ICT applications (‘Brunei-Made ICT Applications’).

Yesterday’s celebration also provided the opportunity for participants to get up close with the beloved monarch, who gave them the inspiration and motivation in carrying out their respective roles.

Throughout the years of organising the Hari Raya celebrations, the foundation has brought forward young professionals as participants in 2003, achievers in specified fields in 2004 and NGOs in 2005 while in 2006, the participants comprised students who had achieved excellence in academic and co-curriculum fields.

In 2007, the participants comprised officers and academics from higher learning institutions and training skills centres, 2008 saw strategic partners and volunteers of YSHHB, 2010 saw officers and staff from public enforcement agencies, and 2011 saw SME entrepreneurs, LiveWire and i-Centre.

Last year’s celebration saw participants comprising professionals, local officers and staff attached to government-linked companies and private sector.

Also present at the ceremony were Pengiran-Pengiran Cheterias, Cabinet Ministers, LegCo members, deputy ministers, permanent and deputy permanent secretaries as well as officers from the government and private sectors who are involved in the smooth running of YSHHB projects and activities. - Borneo Bulletin (28 August 2013)