THE capital bustled with Adat Istiadat activity yesterday afternoon as His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam paid respects to his late parents at the Royal Mausoleum.

Accompanying the monarch 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 ‘Abdul ‘Azim; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen as well as His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.

The royal family was convoyed by the signature Awang-Awang’s in red, carrying with them decorative swords, artillery, shields and other royal regalia atop white jeeps as the entourage made their way from the Lapau in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Upon their arrival at the Royal Mausoleum in Jalan Kubah Makam Diraja, the monarch was welcomed by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman, along with other senior officials from the ministry.

The Tahlil was led by the State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, who also led the recitation of Doa Selamat.

As part of the ceremony, His Majesty and members of the royal family also poured ‘Ayer Asah-Asahan’, or scented water, on the tombs of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien and Al-Marhumah Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit.

Prior to the commencement of the ceremony, dozens of men, women and children were seen making their way on foot to the site of the Royal Mausoleum from designated parking lots just a few hundred metres away and bore the afternoon heat as they sheltered themselves under trees and umbrellas just to get a glimpse of one of Brunei’s most traditional royal practices that has so far withstood the test of time. - Borneo Bulletin (5 August 2014)