National Committee for His Majesty's birthday celebration to discuss suitable dates and options this year

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 67th birthday celebration will fall during the month of Ramadhan this year, and because of this, the dates for important activities such as the Sultan's get-together ceremony that is held in all four districts will be affected. Other events including the Guard of Honour parade, audience and investiture ceremony, night banquet, and banquet with uniformed personnel are also expected to be affected.

The National Committee for His Majesty's 67th birthday celebration met yesterday for the first time at the Dewan Persantapan Lapau.

The meeting was chaired by Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awang Othman, the Minister of Home Affairs.

The minister in his speech said, "Last year we managed to complete the get-together ceremony in all four districts in four consecutive days before the month of Ramadhan, however, this year we will have to look for suitable dates and options for His Majesty's birthday celebrations as it falls during the month of Ramadhan".

Recalling previous years when the monarch's birthday took place during Ramadhan, the minister said, "Previously, His Majesty's birthday occurred during Ramadhan in 1980 and 1981. In both instances the celebration was conducted after Ramadhan came to an end".

Within the Ministry of Home Affairs, the minister has already held a discussion with part of the committee to come up with appropriate dates, however, he cited, "We need to remember that in 1980 and 1981 the events in each district was different from what we currently have. During those days the events in each district involved a parade, an audience, and a titah. There was no get-together ceremony"

This year the committee will raise the competition for the recital of selected verses in the Quran and a participant's understanding of it from the district level to a national level.

Referring to His Majesty's titah during the National Committee for His Majesty's birthday celebration on May 9, 2012, the minister highlighted, "We must take note of His Majesty's titah that pointed out the need for improvements in His Majesty's birthday decorations such as lightings, billboards and banners with regards to its design, attractiveness and location, while taking into account it should not include elements of commercial activities and advertisements."

Earlier in his speech, the minister mentioned, "During previous years we managed to successfully organise activities for His Majesty's birthday which showcased our ability in creating programmes that celebrate and instil a sense of patriotism, a feeling of belonging to the community and country"

During the meeting the minister revealed the three newly appointed members of the committee: Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Seri Paduka Awang Hj Abdul Wahab bin Hj Md Said, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Alikhan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Mohd Yusof, and Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hamiddon bin Hj Ibrahim.

His Majesty has also consented to the appointment of the patrons for the committee. The patrons are His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, with His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, while YAM Pg Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Abdul Aziz bin Pg Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu Bakar has been re-appointment as advisor to the national committee.

Also present were Pg Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pg Hj Alauddin bin Pg Paduka Tuan Pg Hj Abu Bakar, the Grand Chamberlain; Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Data Seri Setia Hj Awang Mohd Nawawi bin Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Mohd Taha, the Private and Confidential Secretary of His Majesty; Pg Seri Wijaya Pg Haji Ahmad bin Pg Mohd Yusof, Senior Assistant Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara; Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yusof, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs; Pehin Orang Kaya Maharaja Diraja Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Abdul Wahab bin Haji Md Said, and other members of the National Committee for His Majesty's 67th birthday celebration.