THOUSANDS of military personnel and members of the public of all ages braved the unsettling bad weather at the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) Base in Kampong Rimba yesterday. Cheerful faces could be seen under fervours of patriotism as the nation witnessed the day marked as one of Royal Brunei Armed Forces’ (RBAF) biggest achievements.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, graced the 53rd RBAF anniversary parade yesterday.

His Majesty was greeted upon arrival by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat and Commander of RBAF, Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah.

Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and General of RBAF; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.

Moments after arrival at Hangar ‘B’ of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) Base, His Majesty received the Royal Salute from the Giant Parade which was led by Lieutenant Colonel (U) Muhd Azmi bin Haji Husain. His Majesty then consented to inspect the Giant Parade by 1,153 members of the RBAF comprising ranks and files from the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), RBAirF, Training Institute RBAF, Special Forces Regiment and the Women Military Personnel.

After the Royal Inspection of the Giant Parade by His Majesty, the event was followed by the march past by the Mass Parade in slow and fast pace bearing the Royal Crest and the RBAF Crest.

The government’s senior officers, military personnel and the public observed a moment of silence, respectfully paying undivided attention to His Majesty’s titah immediately after the march past ended. This was followed by the chanting of ‘Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik’.

His Majesty consented to tour the exhibition located inside Hangar ‘B’ of the RBAirF Base that comprises the facilities and exhibits from the different units under the RBAF, National Service Programme and Brunei Ex-Army Personnel’s Association. His Majesty consented to end the tour with a morning banquet with the other members of the royal family before leaving for the RBAirF Sports Complex.

Arriving at the RBAirF Sports Complex, His Majesty and other members of the royal family consented to receive greetings from the RBAF Non-Commissioned Officers and signed the Royal Parchment.

His Majesty the Sultan and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince along with other members of the royal family also consented to receive an audience by the RBAF Non-Commissioned Senior Officers at the Dewan Layang-Layang of the RBAirF Base in Rimba.

During the audience, His Majesty received a pesambah depicting a replica of a sword Zulfikar that was once wielded by Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Thalib, the fourth Caliph in Islam, which was first used by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) during ‘Peperangan Badar’ and was given to the Caliph during ‘Peperangan Uhud’.

The event ended with the arrival of His Majesty the Sultan and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with other members of the royal family at the Air Movement Centre of the RBAirF Base for a royal luncheon with senior officials of the RBAF and former RBAF personnel.

His Majesty as the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of RBAF consented to cut the RBAF 53rd anniversary cake. The ceremony concluded with a pesambah presented to His Majesty. - Borneo Bulletin (1 June 2014)