A Record Number Of Well-Wishers
Staff Reporters

Bandar Seri Begawan - Tens of thousands of Bruneians from all walks and foreigners queued up to gaze at the interiors of Istana Nurul Iman and get the chance to greet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzadin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and members of the Royal Family.

More than 80,000 people had visited the palace as of yesterday. And by today, the number of visitors is likely to reach a new record. The palace, which organised the royal open house from 10am am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 4pni, received 43,843 people yeSIerday.

They greeted the Sultan and his l unify, who had been accepting guests, beginning with diplomats and Cabinet members on Tuesday.

The monarch was - accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malek and other members of the royal household.

Women visitors were received by Her Majesty the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri PengiranAnak Sarah, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faezah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nurul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Umi Kalthum Al-Islam as well as their majesties' grandchildren.

The morning session were reserved for uniformed personnel alongwith representatives from ministries, various departments' in the government and also nongovernmental organisations.

In the afternoon, children's boisterous laughter filled the palace halls as their parents and guardians, some looking exhausted, watched them while waiting for their turn to be received by His Majesty in the afternoon.

On Wednesday, the number of well-wishers was recorded at 38,512.

The palace will also be open to the public today.

Visitors were treated to buffet meals before they were ushered to an air-conditioned waiting area. From there, guests were made to queue up to enter a magnificent hall to greet His Majesty and the Royal Family. "This is our first time at the palace, said Jaimah Jumat from Kampong Setia A in the Kampong Ayer.

"It is a spontaneous idea for us to greet His Majesty and the Royal Family," said Jaimah, who was accompanied by two daughters and four nieces.

"It's fun and I feel happy to be here" said her 10-year old daughter, Hasibah.

For her cousin Ajeerah, 11, it was also a Nat opportunity to meet withher friends and make new friends. "The food is also great," quipped Nora, 13, pointing to the many tables holding food from local to international cuisines.

Rubiah Abdullah, a 54-yearold British entrepreneur, said: "My family and I have been attending the royal open house for the past 20 years." Graham Laidlaw, 54, an Australian tourist from Brisbane, said that the atmosphere at the Nurul Iman Palace was very friendly.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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