National Day - Press briefing on events, road closures, parking
By Laila Rahman

Dato Paduka Awang Haji Dani (2nd left) chairing yesterday's press briefing. Pic: Hj Mohd Said Arshad

An arch announcing Brunei's 19th National Day 2003 which falls on Feb 23 at the Delima Jaya Complex in Jalan Muara. The government and private sectors are setting up arches in their vicinity while the national flag is erected in shopping and business areas and skirting the roads. Pic: Zureena Abdullah 

The National Day celebrations on Sunday (February 23, 2003) at Taman Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital will comprise three main events - a religious thanksgiving ceremony, the main gathering and other miscellaneous events. Dato Paduka Awang Haji Dani bin Haji Ibrahim (2nd left in pic), the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, yesterday chaired a press briefing about the upcoming 19th National Day 2003. He said among preparations are construction of arches, installation of colorful bulbs, national flags placed at government and private buildings, roads in the capital and small national flags provided for vehicles.

He said the main event would be the arrival, a field performance, march-past and departure. Performances to be held at Taman Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien would be "Merdeka SimFona", "Belia Kumala Negara" and a show of patriotism, involving 15,115 participants.

He urged the public to attend a thanks-giving ceremony at 6pm on Feb 22, 2003 as a blessing for the next day's main event.

The Royal Brunei Police Force also explained that parking for guests at the National Day parade would be available according to 'A to H' stickers provided, and to be placed at the right front area of the car for identification.

He said not every road in the capital would be closed such as Residency Road, Kianggeh Road but it also depends on car parking available on the day. Most of the parking areas would be closed and thus heavy vehicles are advised not to drive through the area. They can use alternative roads such as Kota Batu road, Hassanal Bolkiah Highway and Sungai Akar Highway.

Roads in the capital would be closed to the public at 7am, such as at Elizabeth II Road, Sultan Road, Robert Road, Pemancha Road and roads meant for parking only. Shuttle buses and vans would be provided for parade participants and the public at Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque (Kiarong) parking lot (from 7am till 11.30am) and they would be transported to the nearest point such as Sumbiling Road. For more information about the 19th National Day celebrations, contact tel: 02-382391.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin