On the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to grace a Chinese New Year get-together ceremony with the local Chinese community at the International Convention Centre.

Accompanying His Majesty to the function were Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, The Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.

Also in attendance were HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik, HRH Princess Hjh Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah, HRH Princess Hjh Hafizah Sururul Bulqiah, HRH Princess 'Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah and HRH Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bulqiah.

At hand to greet His Majesty and members of the royal family were Pehin Kapitan Cina Kurnia Diraja Dato Paduka Lau Ah Kok, advisor of the organising committee, Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin, Pehin Bendahari China Dato Paduka Onn Siew Siong and Mr Tan Liang Toon, the organising committee's chairman.

The ceremony commenced with the National Anthem followed by a reading of the oath.

Pehin Dato Paduka Goh King Chin led a group of prominent businessmen in reading out a oath and pledging their loyalty to His Majesty, who later consented to receive pesembahs.

Enlivening the celebration were students from Chung Hwa Middle School BSB and KB's Chung Hua School. Members of the Brunei Darussalam's Wushu Federation also gave a high-flying performance.

The event included an exhibition from eight Chinese schools in the country that shared past achievements and future developments. - Borneo Bulletin (10th Feb 2009)