69th HM Sultan Brunei's Birthday: Temburong Celebrates

Sultan celebrates with Temburong residents
Posted date: August 21, 2015
| Achong Tanjong |

THE royal get-together between His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the residents of the Temburong District took place yesterday at the field of the community hall complex in Pekan Bangar in conjunction with the monarch’s 69th birthday celebration.

His Majesty was greeted by crowds comprising residents, school children and foreigners working in the country, upon his arrival via helicopter at 10.30am. People also flocked to the area to watch performances involving 369 participants that were based on a theme of education throughout the years in the Sultanate from the 1960’s until current times.

Some 40 people representing their respective ethnic groups – Malay, Murut, Tiong Hwa and Iban – were dressed in their traditional attire, helping to make the event an inclusive and colourful one.

According to a representative of the Murut Association, Dora Yating, the event was an opportunity for ethnic groups to showcase aspects of their unique cultures.

The association, like other official groupings representing the country’s different ethnicities, participates in the royal get-togethers annually.“On behalf of the community, I would like to wish His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam as well as other members of the royal family, long life and good health,” Dora said.

Meanwhile, Padan Lasung, also from the Murut Association expressed his appreciation to the monarch for all the developments being made in the district, such as the construction of the proposed Temburong Bridge.

Hand-made Murut traditional attire utilises tree bark known as ‘Pemaran’, for both men and women.Members of the Iban community from the Tanjung Bungar Longhouse were led by their village head, Janlita Anak Mingan, while the Tiong Hwa and Malay ethnic groups were led by Lim Eng Ming from the Tiong Hwa Association and Daud bin Haji Masri, the Village Head of Kampong Batu Apoi. These representatives lined up at the entrance to the community hall complex to welcome the arrival of the royal family.

Meanwhile, a teacher from Australia who has been working at the Sultan Hassan Secondary School in Bangar said, “The field performance was very cool and the traditional attire worn by the different ethnic groups are very colourful and beautiful.”

Pekan Bangar had been decorated with banners of greeting and an archway at locations along the road leading to the area.

The get-together ceremony is a good opportunity for people to personally present their well wishes to the monarch.