Spend Wisely, His Majesty Advises All Bruneians
By Waleed PD Mahdini

Bandar Seri Begawan - Bruneians must lead a frugal lifestyle and avoid incurring too much debt, said His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

In a Hari Raya Titah, His Majesty told his people not to be carried away by the festive mood during Hari Raya, and not be excessive and wasteful in celebrating the religious event, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

The Titah was aired over RTB yesterday in conjunction with the Hari Raya celebrations which begin today.

The ruler said that Bruneians should not outdo each other in clothing, food and decorations, and that they should only spend according to their means.

"It is prohibited that we partake in this kind of competition, unless we compete to do as much good as possible," His Majesty remarked.

"The same prohibition applied to those who compete to enhance their facilities and decorations such that they become indebted," the monarch added.

Instead, His Majesty advised that Bruneians find happiness by living a frugal lifestyle and put priority in investing in their children's education and upbringing.

In the Titah, His Majesty also said Hari Raya should inspire in people a realisation on the need to be thankful for the prosperity that they are now enjoying.

`At the same time, we should not forget that there are still people in the world who could not afford to buy new clothes and also have not enough to eat," said the monarch.

This is underlying rationale of zakat or alms giving which aims to free the needy from difficulties, the monarch said.

His Majesty also took the opportunity yesterday to wish a Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslim residents of Brunei Darussalam and Bruneian Muslims abroad.

Last Sunday, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that Syawal would begin today. Re-' ligious officials failed to sight the new moon at the four different designated sighting places in the nation last Sunday.

Neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore also begin their formal Hari Raya celebrations today. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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