Rehearsal for National Day
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

March-past by students. Pix: Hj Mohd Said Arshad

Around 20,000 participants of the 21st National Day celebration converged on the Taman Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital yesterday morning for a full rehearsal to gear up for the big national event on Wednesday morning.

Witnessed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Dato Dr Hj Awg Hussein; the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Hj Jemat bin Hj Ampal; and the Acting Director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Hj Sumadi Sukaimi, who is also the Chairman of the Field Performance Concept and Format Committee, the rehearsal began with the marching band and guards-of-honour entering the venue of celebration.

Traditional musical instruments of 'hadrah' were beaten loud and clear to mark the mock-up arrival of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

A mock-up royal salute took place soon after His Majesty's arrival, which was followed by the National Anthem, before the premiering of the National Day's logo and other decorations.

The guard-of-honour then exited the venue to give way for field performances.

Performed by some 8,000 secondary students nationwide, the participants displayed various formations such as the monument of self-reliance or 'Tugu Mandiri', young generation (Generasi Penerus) and National Success (Kecemerlangan Bangsa).

After the colourful field presentations, a march-past led by holders of large and normal-sized national flags, National Day's logo and oath reader took place.

Participants from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force and other uniformed agencies as well as ministries, government departments, district councils and non-government organisations then entered the venue.

This was followed by march-pasts by students and staff of higher academic institutions, colleges, and schools as well as members of non-government organisations.

After all the participants entered Taman Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien and took their places at the respective designated locations, the rehearsal continued with the declaration of National Day's oath and National Day's theme.

At the end of the event, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports acknowledged the almost perfect rehearsal by the participants.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin