MUARA, Sunday 17 September 2017 - 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, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) consented to grace the Grand Parade for the 56th RBAF anniversary celebrations at the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) Base in Muara today.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and General of the RBAF.
On hand to receive His Majesty and His Royal Highness at the RBN parade ground was the Deputy Minister of Defence First Admiral (Retired) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, and the Commander of the RBAF, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah.
During the parade event, His Majesty received the royal salute and inspected the parade contingents of 1,056 RBAF personnel from the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF), Training Institute RBAF (TI RBAF), the Special Force Regiment (SFR) and Women Military Personnel led by Commander Spry bin Haji Serudi @ Haji Seruji, RBN in his capacity as the Parade Commander.
After the inspection, His Majesty delivered a Titah in which His Majesty emphasised the importance for RBAF personnel to strengthen their respective internal fortress and adhere to the ethics of social media usage as part of the wider efforts to safeguard against radicalisation and extremism. Apart from this, His Majesty also raised the increasing prevalence of cyber-related threats in today’s digital age and took note of the on-going efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Defence and the RBAF in enhancing Cyber Defence.
In addition to highlighting the current nature of today’s complex threats, His Majesty also touched upon the need for the RBAF to always focus on devising smarter ways towards ensuring the necessary levels of preparedness. In this regard, His Majesty also urged the Ministry of Defence to implement a Prioritisation Exercise and Equipment Care more comprehensively so as to ensure that existing financial allocations are optimally utilised.
Subsequent to the Titah, a recitation of prayers to bless the event was read by the Head of RBAF Religious Department, Commander Haji Ainolnizam bin Haji Ibrahim, RBN. His Majesty then once again received the Royal Salute followed by the sail pass from KDB DARUSSALAM and the fly-pass by RBAirF aircrafts.
From the parade ground, His Majesty and His Royal Highness proceeded to go onboard the KDB DARUTTAQWA for the arena performance which showcased the RBAF’s capability in conducting maritime interdiction operations.
Afterwards, His Majesty consented to tour the static exhibitions from the different units under the RBAF and Ministry of Defence.
Upon arrival at the Warrant Officer/ Chief Petty Officer/Petty Officer Mess, His Majesty and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was presented with a ‘pesambah’, an Armor Breast Plate Jacket as well as a Shield inspired by Islamic traditions, from the RBAF Senior and Junior Non-Commissioned Officers.
His Majesty and His Royal Highness then proceeded to the RBN Officers’ Mess for a luncheon, where His Majesty also consented to a cake-cutting ceremony for the 56th RBAF anniversary and was later presented with a ‘pesambah’ from RBAF officers in the form of a ‘General’s Sword’.
In addition to meeting current RBAF officers and personnel, His Majesty also took the time to meet former RBAF officers and personnel who have been appointed as members of the State Legislative Council as well as Penghulus and Ketua Kampongs.
The ceremony concluded with signing of the Royal parchment and a group photograph with members of the Defence Executive Committee, Service Commanders, RBAF Chief of Staff, RBAF Head of Inspectorate, former Deputy Ministers of Defence, former Commanders of RBAF, military and civilian directors as well as Commandants.
This year’s theme ‘Together in Accomplishing the National Vision’ underlines the continuous commitment of the RBAF, as a key security institution, in contributing to the nation’s progress and development by ensuring a safe and peaceful environment through the steady provision of defence and security.
This event, traditionally held every 31st May, was brought to a later date out of respect for the holy month of Ramadhan.
KEBAWAH DULI YANG MAHA MULIA BERKENAN BERANGKAT KE UPACARA PERBARISAN RAKSAKSA SAMBUTAN HARI ULANG TAHUN ABDB KE-56
MUARA, Ahad 17 September 2017 – Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan dan Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Menteri Pertahanan dan Pemerintah Tertinggi Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) berkenan berangkat ke Upacara Perbarisan Raksaksa Sambutan Hari Ulang Tahun (HUT) ABDB Ke-56 Tahun di Pangkalan Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB) pada hari ani.
Berangkat sama ialah Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Jeneral Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Menteri Kanan di Jabatan Perdana Menteri dan Jeneral ABDB.
Keberangkatan tiba Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia di padang kawad TLDB dijunjung oleh Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan, Laksamana Pertama (B) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit dan Pemerintah ABDB, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Mejar Jeneral Dato Paduka Seri Awang Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah.
Semasa upacara perbarisan, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia berkenan menerima Tabik Hormat Diraja dan memeriksa Pasukan-Pasukan Perbarisan Raksaksa seramai 1,056 orang anggota ABDB daripada Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB), Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLaDB), Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB), Institut Latihan (IL) ABDB, Rejimen Pasukan Khas (RPK) ABDB dan Pasukan Askar Wanita di bawah Pemerintah Perbarisan, Komander Spry bin Haji Serudi @ Haji Seruji, TLDB.
Setelah memeriksa perbarisan, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia berkenan untuk menyampaikan Titah dimana baginda menekankan kepentingan bagi anggota-anggota ABDB untuk sentiasa mengukuhkan benteng dalaman dan mematuhi etika penggunaan media sosial agar tidak ada seorangpun anggota tentera yang terpengaruh dan terpesong ke arah ideologi ekstremisme. Selain daripada itu, baginda juga menyentuh mengenai ancaman siber yang semakin membimbangkan dalam zaman digital ini dan seterusnya mengambil maklum akan usaha-usaha terkini Kementerian Pertahanan dan ABDB dalam meningkatkan pertahanan siber sebagai langkah untuk memperkukuhkan lagi benteng pertahanan.
Di samping ini juga, baginda turut menyatakan keperluan bagi ABDB untuk sentiasa memberikan perhatian khusus terhadap tahap kesiapsiagaan melalui kaedah-kaedah yang lebih pintar, selaras dengan keadaan semasa. Dalam hal ini, baginda menyeru agar Kementerian Pertahanan melaksanakan Prioritisation Exercise dan Equipment Care dengan lebih komprehensif agar peruntukan kewangan yang tersedia dimanfaatkan dengan sebaiknya.
Bagi memberkati upacara, doa selamat dibacakan oleh Ketua Jabatan Agama ABDB, Komander Haji Ainolnizam bin Haji Ibrahim, TLDB. Seterusnya, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia sekali lagi disembahkan Tabik Hormat Diraja dan diikuti dengan pelayaran lalu daripada KDB DARUSSALAM dan terbang lalu pesawat-pesawat TUDB.
Dari padang kawad, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan berangkat ke atas kapal KDB DARUTTAQWA bagi menyaksikan persembahan arena yang menunjukkan keupayaan ABDB dalam melaksanakan operasi maritim.
Kemudiannya, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dijunjung melawat ke pameran-pameran statik dari unit-unit ABDB dan Kementerian Pertahanan.
Setibanya di Mes Pegawai Waran/ Bintara Kanan/Bintara TLDB, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia berkenan menerima junjung ziarah dan pesambah daripada Pegawai Tidak Betauliah (PTB) Kanan dan Rendah ABDB yang berupa Baju Perisai (Armor Breast Plate Jacket) iaitu lapisan pakaian pelindungan digunakan untuk berperang oleh pahlawan-pahlawan Islam pada zaman dahulu bersama Perisai (Shield) yang merupakan kelengkapan peperangan dalam Islam.
Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia kemudiannya dijunjung ke Mes Pegawai TLDB bagi majlis santap tengahari, dimana baginda juga berkenan memotong kek Hari Ulang Tahun ABDB ke-56 dan seterusnya berkenan menerima Pedang Panglima (General’s Sword) sebagai pesambah yang disembahkan oleh para pegawai ABDB.
Di samping junjung ziarah bersama anggota-anggota ABDB yang sedang berkhidmat, Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia dan Duli Yang Teramat Mulia juga berkenan bagi Majlis Ramah Mesra bersama mantan Pegawai dan bekas anggota ABDB yang telah dilantik menjadi ahli-ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Negara, Penghulu dan Ketua Kampung.
Majlis diakhiri dengan menandatangani Lembaran Kenangan Keberangkatan dan bergambar kenangan bersama Ahli-Ahli Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Pertahanan, Pemerintah-pemerintah Angkatan Tentera, Ketua Staf ABDB, Ketua Inspektorat ABDB, Mantan-mantan Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan, Mantan-mantan Pemerintah ABDB, Pengarah-pengarah Tentera dan Awam serta Komandan-komandan.
Tema sambutan pada tahun ini ‘Bersama Menjayakan Wawasan Negara’ menggariskan komitmen ABDB yang berterusan, sebagai tonggak pertahanan dan keselamatan negara, dalam mendokong kemajuan dan pembangunan negara secara holistik, dengan memastikan persekitaran yang aman dan damai melalui pertahanan dan sekuriti yang jitu.
Acara ini, yang secara tradisinya diadakan pada setiap 31 Mei, telah ditangguhkan bagi menghormati bulan Ramadhan.