More Than 100,000 Greet Royal Family
By Fei Phoon and Norhayati Zalani

Bandar Seri Begawan - This year's Hari Raya open house at the Istana Nurul Iman will go down in history as the largest ever recorded: Over the course of three days, visitors to the palace totalled a record high of 102,599.

There was no ebb in enthusiasm at Istana Nurul Iman's last open day, as last-minute well-wishers flooded in to bid the Bruneian Royal Family Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

For the past three days, members of the public flocked to the palace for the opportunity to meet their beloved monarch, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzadin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and-the Royal Family in person.

Staff estimated around 7000 guests for the morning session, and 9843 for the afternoon session.

On entering, those 60 years of age and above were ushered with a smile to a Warga Emas' section, which was introduced just this year to specially cater to the senior citizens. They were invited to enjoy the fine spread away from the main body of the crowd, before being escorted ahead of other guests to the exquisite Indera Buana hall to await their turn in airconditioned comfort.

Male guests were greeted by the monarch himself, followed 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.

The ladies who comprised most of yesterday's guests, 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 Pengiran Anak Sarah, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and Yang Teramat 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 most ecstatic of all the guests were the children, some of whom, judging from their unconcealed expressions and exclamations of wonderment at the splendid interior of the palace, were first-time visitors.

Their excitement was contagious, and their hearts almost visibly skipped a beat when their turn arrived to greet the Royal Family. Some were struck by a sudden bout of bashfulness, while others coolly took it in stride, but ultimately all of them came away with a noticeable bounce in their step.

Twelve year-old Muhd Khalid Said, a student at Jerudong Arabic School, said he was really happy and looking forward to coming again next year.

Chung Hwa Secondary School student King Sing Eek, 13, claimed, "I try to attend the open house event at the palace every Hari Raya celebration. It's a really joyful event and it makes me really happy."

Children from the neighbouring East Malaysian states, like twelve year-old Gipsy Melissa from Limbang, were equally fascinated by the opportunity to observe Brunei's Royal Family at close proximity.

Her mother, Rifkah Abdullah, 31, said, "We always travel to Brunei every Hari Raya, as my children insist on coming here. We also have relatives here in Brunei, so this time we took the chance tolvisit the palace at the same time."

No doubt most of them will have interesting stories about their Hari Raya experience to exchange with their friends and schoolmates when the school holidays end. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with