The Raising of the Giant Brunei Flag
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Monday, February 11, 2013 THE giant national flag was raised yesterday, marking the start of the 29th National Day celebration.
The flag-hoisting ceremony took place in front of the Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien (SOAS) Mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Among those witnessing the ceremony was Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, as the guest of honour.
In his speech, Hj Mohd Rozan Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) who was also the event's chairperson said, the hoisting of the national flag marked the beginning of the 29th National Day celebration which will involve all the rakyat.
"Hoisting the giant national flag is an important mechanism through which we portray our love, pride and patriotic spirit," said Hj Mohd Rozan. He added that by hoisting the flag, Bruneians avouch their role as inheritants of the nation who are developing, progressing and defending independence. Hj Mohd Rozan said this year's national day theme, Negaraku Brunei Darussalam (My country Brunei Drussalam), invites us to portray a sense of belonging felt being in our beloved country.
He went on to say that as with every National Day celebration, he expressed hopes that every one of the rakyat would empower the nation into being a nation that is Baldatun Taiyibatun Wa Rabbun Ghafur, which means a good nation that is peaceful, properous and in search of Allah (SWT's) will.
The ceremony proceeded with the handing over of the giant national flag by the guest of honour to personnel from the Royal Brunei Navy to be hoisted. As the flag was raised, the national anthem "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" was sung by the choir from Sayidina Umar Al-Khattab Secondary School and Pg Anak Puteri Hjh Masna Secondary School, accompanied by the Royal Brunei Police Force band. Posters of the 29th National Day celebration and flags were handed over by the minister to all district officers to be distributed to the people in their respective areas.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hjh Adina Othman, Yang Amat Mulia Pg Seri Wijaya Pg Hj Ahmad Pg Mohd Yusof, Senior Assistant to Chief of State Adat Istiadat, together with secretaries and permanent secretaries at the ministy. Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin and Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam CP Dato Paduka Seri Hj Hasrin Dato Paduka Hj Sabtu were also present.
Nurhamiza Hj Roslan
-- News Article Courtesy of The Brunei Times --
-- Photos Courtesy of The Borneo Bulletin --
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