Preserve Brunei Identity: His Majesty
By Abdul Rahim Mohd Taib

Bandar Seri Begawan - Bruneians must strive to preserve the nation's customs and traditions, and to protect them from undesirable foreign elements, said His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday.

In a titah during the Hari Raya celebrations held at the International Convention Centre in Berakas, His Majesty stressed the importance of preserving the customs and traditions based on the concept of Melayu Islam Beraja depicting the Sultanate's progressiveness.

"A progressive race is one that maintains its identity. It is recognised by others through the attributes and characters of its identity. A race with an identity will be valued and respected by others," His Majesty said.

"Therefore we as a race that has our own identity should not neglect any of its aspects. We must preserve, perfect it and not change it easily to suit the changing times. This identity is embodied in the Declaration of Independence which is Melayu, Islam, Beraja," said His Majesty.

The organiser of the celebration was the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation. Yesterday's event was highlighted by songs and dramas performed by 150

students that included the granddaughters of His Majesty, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Hariisah Widadul Bolqiah binti Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irsyad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim.

In the titah'His Majesty said, amidst our joy in celebrating the Hari Raya, we must not forget to obtain as much merit as possible in matters that show our obedience to Allah the Almighty."

Touching on the matter of the participants in this celebration, His Majesty noted with pleasure that most of the participants were pupils, students and teachers. More than 1,000 participants from various schools attended the celebration.

His Majesty added that "We cannot predict how the future would look like." The Monarch noted here that Brunei needed to progress.

"For instance, years ago, our elders could not have imagined that we might be able to attain the high standard of living that we all enjoy now. They probably could not have anticipated that the nation could progress. Nevertheless they worked as hard as they could," His Majesty said.

The Monarch also mentioned that one of the meaningful contributions they made was to give the Bruneians education. "Through it the nation enjoyed the progress as we have now," said His Majesty.

His Majesty said: "The key to this success are efforts and determination. For example, our country would not have been able to produce local doctors if there were no plannings."

His Majesty emphasised that the identity "should not be',, mixed with other things that run contrary to our beliefs and customs. This could be done easily through various methods and channels such as entertainment in celebratory events".

Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji AlMuhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen.

In a welcoming speech, the Chairman of the foundation, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin, noted that the groups of people that had been invited to the celebration were the foundation's strategic group target who were going to uphold the concept of Malay, Islamic, Monarchy. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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