National Day Performers Hold First Full Rehearsal
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - All roads leading to the 21st National Day celebration venue in the capital were jammed with vehicles yesterday morning as all participants converged to the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien to rehearse their performances together for the first time.

Many people who were not associated with the celebration were surprised to find the massive traffic jam as vehicles inched their way to the venue.

"If took me an hour to arrive in the capital from Mile 1, Jalan Tutong, a journey that normally took five minutes," said a driver who needed to deliver documents to offices in the capital.

The jam was caused by the large number of vehicles heading to the celebration venue, as 8,000 students from all four districts were joined by hundreds of participants, from government uniformed officials to members of non-government associations to staff from the private sector.

The first full rehearsal yesterday morning was witnessed by Pehin Dato Dr Hj Awang Hussein, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Hj Jemat Hj Ampal, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Hj Sumadi Sukaimi, Acting Director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka; and, other members of the celebration committee.

There will be two more full rehearsals on February 19 and 21, with the latter, a full-dress rehearsal.

Brunei is set to celebrate the 21st National Day in the morning of February 23.

Meanwhile, the capital has been embellished with celebratory decorations. Flags can be found at buildings and private houses, and many establishments also displaying banners.

This year's National Day celebration carries the theme "Bersepadu Memperkasa Mandiri Bangsa" or "Together We Strengthen National Self-Reliance".

More than 20,000 participants will form various components of the field display during the celebration, with three segments depicting self-reliance pillar, the future generation and flora.

The first segment will be staged by personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Fire Brigades and secondary school students.

They will form the self-reliance pillar, which symbolises Bruneians' diligence, hard work and unity.

The second segment will be performed by youth groups, which symbolises the future generation and their willingness to continue the country's efforts to achieve excellence.

The third segment, performed by students, will be a flora formation, which symbolises pure aspiration of the country brought about by the National Development Programme.

The formation signifies Brunei's fertility and clean environment. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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