Thousands of Tutong District residents and members of the public were entertained to a colourful fireworks display in Tutong Town last night. The vibrant showcase was held in conjunction with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di- Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 65th birthday celebrations. Among those present to witness the display was the Acting Tutong District Officer, Awg Hj Mohd Suffian bin Hj Bungsu.

From left - Hajah Viviyanti bte Hj Ali with the PSB and Hajah Hafsah bte Hj Abdul Halim with her SMB both from the Brunei Darussalam Girls Guide Association. - PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI

60-year-old retiree from the Ministry of Education, Hj Mohd Sunny Lai Abdullah who received the Most Blessed Order of the Star of the State of Brunei Fourth Class (PSB) in an interview with the Bulletin said, “Although I have retired from my service for almost four years now, the government of His Majesty still recognised my contribution in the ministry. This award came as a surprise and I would like to thank His Majesty the Sultan for his confidence and recognition.”

Hj Mohd Sunny Lai is now active in his Village Consultative Council (MPK) in Kampong Masjid Lama Pekan Muara, Sabun and Pelumpong as Deputy Chairman.

Haji Mohd Sunny Lai a retiree from MoE with his PSB.

For Malai Nuridah Sheikh Muhammad, Human Resources Director from Brunei Shell, one of the recipients of the Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Brunei Third Class (SMB) expressed her gratitude towards the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. She pointed out that she owed this award of recognition to her colleagues for their full support in what she has done.

Hajah Hafsah bte Hj Abd Halim, Chief Commissioner of the Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association together with her deputy Hjh Viviyanti bte Hj Ali were among the two awardees representing NGOs in the country.

Malai Nuraidah Sheikh Muhammad from Brunei Shell with her SMB.

Both expressed their gratitude to His Majesty, and with the recognition to NGOs, they felt appreciated and it would certainly push them to do even more charitable causes and support equality amongst women.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, HRH the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah and HRH Prince Abdul Malik at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana of Istana Nurul Iman yesterday for the presentation of the state decoration in conjunction to His Majesty's 65th Birthday celebration.

Also attending the investiture ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul ‘Azim, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with His Majesty’s 65th birthday celebrations.

The ceremony took place at the Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana of Istana Nurul Iman

His Majesty bestowing medals to the individuals who have earned it. - PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI

In all, 81 recipients were conferred with the Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia Darjah Ketiga (SMB) or the Most Honourable Order of the Crown of Brunei Third Class.

Four others received the Darjah Seri Ugama Islam Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar Darjah Keempat (SUB) or the Most Illustrious Islamic Religious Order of the State of Brunei Fourth Class.

HRH Prince Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince 'Abdul 'Azim and HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen during the recital of the Doa for the state decoration presentation ceremony yesterday held at the Istana Nurul Iman.

Two hundred and eighteen (218) recipients were conferred with the Darjah Setia Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bahagia Darjah Keempat (PSB) or the Most Blessed Order of the Star of the State of Brunei Fourth Class.

Three more were conferred with the Darjah Seri Ugama Islam Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar Darjah Kelima (PUB) Most Illustrious Islamic Religious Order of the State of Brunei Fifth Class.

His Majesty the Sultan consented to present the state decoration of 'Darjah Seri Ugama Islam Negara Brunei Yang Amat Bersinar Darjah Kelima' - PUB (The Most Eminent Order of Islam Brunei 5th Class) to Awang Haji Mohd Zaidi bin Haji Zakaria, as HRH the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah and HRH Prince Abdul Malik look on.

Also attending the Investiture Ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Price Hj Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Hj Jefri Bolkiah, HRH Prince ‘Abdul ‘Azim, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin – July 24, 2011

His Majesty signing the Royal Parchment.

Upon arrival, His Majesty and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha were greeted by Deputy Minister of Defence, Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa Haji Sirat, and Commander of the RBAF, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.

His Majesty was then introduced to junior officers, UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) members, personnel who were currently on transitional leave and retired army personnel.

His Majesty, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, HRH Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and General of RBAF, and HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah receiving greetings.

Also present at the banquet were HRH Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and General of RBAF, HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Haji ‘Abdul ‘Azim, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik and HRH Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

After cutting a birthday cake, His Majesty consented to receive ‘pesambah’ from the RBAF Commander – a three-dimensional craft made of crystal, where the shape of the Ministry of Defence building was engraved in laser as the centrepiece.

HRH Prince Haji 'Abdul 'Azim, HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik and HRH Prince 'Abdul Mateen.

Over 100 army personnel were involved in last night’s entertainment, which included Nasyid and Tausyeh performances.

At the end of the ceremony, Their Majesties, HRH Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and HRH Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah consented to receive a ‘Junjung Ziarah’ from MinDef and RBAF personnel.

His Majesty also consented to sign the Royal Parchment to commemorate His Majesty’s gracing this year’s celebrations.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces at a banquet hosted in honour of His Majesty’s 65th Birthday at the Bridex Conference Hall in Jerudong last night.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin – July 23, 2011

Vendors preparing food for customers

Hundreds of people have been visiting the Tutong festive stalls at the area near the Tutong Community Hall. The stalls have variety of items such as food, toys, clothes and many others.

Ah Chai weighing the 'longan' fruits. Photos: Abang Jit Manis

One of the usual stalls selling ‘longan’ fruits continues to be the most visited. Ah Chai, one of the vendors, said that he ordered more than 10 cartons which were sold out in one night.

Another popular food item at the Tutong festive stalls are the “sotong tutuk”, which is also known as barbequed squid. Other food like burgers, ‘roti john’ and kebabs are also a popular choice.

In light of His Majesty’s 65th birthday celebration, a thanksgiving ceremony was held at the Ministry of Health.

The guest of honour during the event

The guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yusof, the Minister of Health.

The event started with the recital of surah al-fatihah followed by surah yaasiin and a thanksgiving prayer.

A section of those present at the event. Photos: Ahmed Shaheeb

The event was held to thank Allah the Almighty for blessing the nation with peace and prosperity under His Majesty’s leadership.

The event was one of the annual religious activities of the Ministry of Health to instil religious beliefs to officers and staff.

Also present were acting permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, senior officers and staff of the Ministry of Health.

In conjunction with the 65th birthday celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will hold a ceremony to mark the completion of the recitation of al-Quran or Khatam al-Quran for officers and staff of the ministry as a sincere contribution to the monarch, nation, people as well as to gain blessings from Allah the Almighty.

The event will be held on July 20 at selected areas. For senior officers, officers and staff, it will take place at Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah starting at 7.45am. Around 1,200 men and 750 women will attend. They will be divided into 65 groups where each group will read 30 Juzuk of the Quran.

For Arabic and Religious schools under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, it will be held at 2pm at selected schools namely Mahad Islam Brunei, Tutong; Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Religious School, Kuala Belait; Bokok Religious School, Temburong; Hassanal Bolkiah Arabic Secondary School for Boys; Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak damit Arabic Religious Secondary School; Pengiran Anak Puteri Hjh Muta-wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah Religious School, Serusop; Lumapas Religious School; Pelambayan Religious School and Jerudong Religious School.

For mosque committees throughout the country, it will be held at 7.45pm at selected mosques namely Al-Ameerah Al-Hajah Maryam Mosque in Kg Jerudong where the Minister of Religious Afffairs is expected to attend.

At Mohamed Bolkiah Mosque in Kg Serusop, the Deputy Minister is scheduled to attend while at Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque in Pekan Tutong and Kg Pandan National Housing Scheme Mosque in Belait, the event will be attended by permanent secretaries. Meanwhile, at Mohammad Salleh Mosque in Pekan Bangar, the chief guest will be the deputy permanent secretary.

The objectives are to seek blessings from Allah the Almighty for the ruler’s continued good health and to continue to rule the nation with the guidance from Allah the Almighty and for the nation and the people to prosper and be blessed, to glorify and support the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs in organising the completion of reading of al-Quran for 65 times in honour of His Majesty’s 65th birthday anniversary, to receive rewards from such recitation and reward to the benevolent ruler with the intention that all His Majesty’s aspirations for the nation’s peace, stability, progress and prosperity will be answered as well as part of an effort to realise the country’s vision to be a nation of Zikir.

In conjunction with the 65th birthday celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, celebratory banners were put up in premises, supermarkets, shops, workshops, banks and private sector firms throughout the four districts.

Awang Haji Abd Samad bin Haji Abd Rahman of the Brunei Darussalam Kite Association expressed his joy by flying a kite to show his loyalty to the monarch at Tungku Beach. The kite with “Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik” written on it showed how Bruneians are excited in joining and celebrating His Majesty’s 65th birthday.