Farewell Reception For Tattoo
By Amelia Hj Kassim
Brunei International Convention Centre, 1st August 2006 – The BIT 2006 Committee hosted a Farewell High Tea Reception for the 13 Tattoo contingents and choir in the Plenary Hall this afternoon.
To grace the event was the Chief Guest, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel Dato Seri Paduka Hj Muhammad Yasmin Hj Umar, the Deputy Minister of Defence. Also present were the Permanent Secretary at the MINDEF, YM Dato Paduka Hj Mustappa Hj Sirat and the Commissioner of Police, Pehin Datu Kerma Setia Dato Paduka Seri Zainuddin Jailani, as well as foreign high commissioners and ambassadors to the country.
The function began with a speech by the RBAF Commander, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi Hj Mohd Yussof, saying that the BIT 2006 was special 60th birthday gift fit for our much loved ruler, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Set with the theme “Together We Celebrate His Majesty’s 60th Birthday”, a BIT 2006 Chairman was appointed – Col Pg Hj Azmansham, the Commandant of Support Services, RBAF. He added that for the past three months, the “13 coalition forces of the willing” have worked together through “Friendship, Goodwill and Solidarity”, to pull off one of the biggest Tattoo events in the region. He expessed his gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces to every participant who have contributed to the success of the auspicious event. YDM Pehin Halbi finally hoped that that the overseas participants have enjoyed their stay in the Sultanate and wished them a safe journey home.
The speech was followed by a presentation of momentos by the Chief Guest to BIT 2006 Heads of Delegates, representatives of the Chief of Defence Forces, and other participating government organisations. While the guests enjoyed a grand feast of local and international cuisine, a video clip portraying the highlights of the BIT 2006 was presented bringing cheers and laughter from the participants. The event was then made livelier by a local cultural performance to entertain the overseas Tattoo participants.
The Farewell Reception did well to make our visitors feel more appreciated and energised before the final show, later on in the evening.