It was a sea of colour, smiles and joy that greeted His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday at the Kuala Belait Padang Bandaran, when the monarch arrived for a get-together ceremony with the people of Belait District.

The get together event in Belait District was marked with field performances under the blazing hot sun yesterday morning as over tens of thousands of enthusiastic well-wishers extended their birthday wishes to His Majesty.

Accompanying the Sultan at the get-together was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Abdul Malik and HRH Prince Abdul Mateen.

At least 3,000 people comprising government officials, staff, students, Mukim and village residents, youth from various associations, members of welfare bodies, the public and private sector in the Belait District took part in the the grand annual celebration. The celebration had an air of religious festivity, as children covered in long veils added serenity to it with their gentle movements.

The unity of the performances signified the commitment to contribute towards the grand Royal Birthday celebration in the district.

The field performance carrying the title 'Sejambak Doa Memberiga Kasih' illustrated the affection of the population for the Monarch. A great show of appreciation was put up for his kindness, generosity and intelligence from all corners of the Belait district.

The scenario of the performance was based on a poetic religious concept illustrated in the form of sketches that choreographed movements to convey the message.

The field performance was split into six segments ranging from poetry recitals, hadrah beatings, nasyid choir singing and a flip chart formation at the grandstand.

The grand finale of the celebration was the rendition of the song 'Wawasan 2035' composed by the Chairman Dr Hj Harun Mokti.

The get-together ceremony in Belait heralded further events to come, in the district tipped to include the renowned Rafting Classics, a Golf tournament, Agri-food and Cat show among others.

The events to mark the Royal Birthday celebration in the district will continue until the end of August, this year. - Borneo Bulletin (20th July 2008)