HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the 20th Civil Service Day celebration yesterday at the International Convention Centre, Berakas.

Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and HRH Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

His Majesty was greeted upon arrival by the Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim; Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Col (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awg Hj Mohammad Yasmin bin Hj Umar; Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Abdul Wahab bin Juned as Co-Adviser of the Executive Committee; and Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Awg Hj Mohd ‘Abdoh bin Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Salam as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the celebration.

The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned for Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien as well as government officers and staff who had passed away.

It was followed by the recitation of verses from Al-Quran. His Majesty later delivered his titah and launched the book on the Glory of Administration and Public Service in Brunei Darussalam which was followed by a video clip presentation on the book.

The monarch later presented awards to recipients of the Excellent Civil Service in Division III, IV and V for this year and also handed over bronze and silver awards to the winners of Kumpulan Kerja Cemerlang (Quality Control Circle, QCC). There is no recipient for the Gold Award this year as no group has attained the assessment standard for the award.

His Majesty also awarded service certificates to retired officers and later consented for a group photo with the award recipients. - Borneo Bulletin (5 December 2013)