BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Monday 23 February 2015 – People across Brunei Darussalam flocked to the historic Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital to celebrate the 31st National Day which is filled with pride.
The celebration saw the Grand Assembly involving the participation of almost 30,000 people.
On arrival at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien, His Majesty The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in his capacity as chairman of the executive committee of this year’s celebration and members of the committee.
Also in attendance were His Royal Highness, Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, The Crown Prince, Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.
After the National Anthem, His Majesty consented to inspect the guard of honour mounted by personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).
To mark the start of the celebration, the National Day celebrations saw a march past by a total of 125 teams led by the giant national flag bearers, followed by the team of oath readers, National Day logo flag bearers, uniformed personnels and thousands of people from government departments and ministries, private sectors, education institutes, special need individual groups, NGOs and Expartriate Associations.
A total of 200 participants from Ministry of Defence led by the Permanent Secretary, Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar dressed in their purple and pink coloured uniform, each bearing the national flags joined the marching parade. Also joining the march past were Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Directors, senior officers, officers and staffs of Ministry of Defence.
A performance from the participants of National Service Programme (PKBN) entitled “Gerak Cergas Belia Berwawasan” or Energetic Action of Visionary Youth enlivened this year’s celebration.
The highlight of the event was the performance of the “Silat Tari Wira Keadaan” by primary school students. They are the saviours who will defend the country from unrest, challenges and threats that can shake the identity and prosperity of the country. They are ready to defend the monarch, religion, race and country with prayers, strengths and high spirits of patriotism.
Some 7,900 youths representing secondary schools, colleges and higher learning institutes took part in the “Generasi Berwawasan” performance. The performance embodies youths as the country’s hope in shaping a strong and independence nation.
A blossom-flower logo represents the country’s vision and hope in establishing the country as a nation of Zikir, in together supporting and upholding His Majesty’s titah towards achieving 2035 Vision.
Before departure, His Majesty consented to meet and greet the participants.
“Generation with a Vision” epitomizes greatness and patriotic values inside youths in order to develop and Brunei Darussalam’s future in heading towards Vision 2035.
