A TOTAL of 17 babies were born on July 15 – sharing the same birthday as His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam – including a bundle of joy in the form of twin girls.

Of the 17 babies, eight are girls and nine are boys. The first baby was born at 1.30am to Awang Mohd Harde bin Abidin and Siti Norhidayah binti Abdullah, while the last deliveries of the day were the twin girls, who are yet to be named, and are daughters of Muhammad Aliudin Hj Rashid and Noraisah binti Hj Aji. Their twins were safely delivered at 10.21pm on Monday in RIPAS Hospital.

Noraisah binti Hj Aji said that she was expecting the babies around August 6 to 8 and that “it was unexpected that our babies were born on the same date as His Majesty”, making it a coincidental blessing.

She added, “We have yet to decide on the names. These are our fourth and fifth children in the family”.

A thanksgiving and souvenir presentation ceremony was held yesterday for the newborns in conjunction with His Majesty’s 67th birthday celebration at the Outpatient’s reception and waiting area of RIPAS Hospital

The guest of honour was Datin Paduka Hajah Kalshom binti Hj Suhaili, the wife of Acting Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof, who was all smiles as she presented souvenirs including baby car seats, certificates and portraits.

Beside the baby souvenirs, TAIB’s (Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei) Acting Managing Director, Dayang Hajah Fa’aizah binti Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin also presented the newborns with $100 ‘Si Manja Accounts’ and hampers for an early start in life.

The ceremony started with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Ustaz Hj Kamis bin Hj Damit, an officer from the Religious Teaching Unit of RIPAS Hospital. A Dikir group from the Kampong Manggis Village Consultative Council put on a performance at the ceremony to enliven the event.

Ssenior officials from the Ministry of Health, the wife of the Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs were also present. - Borneo Bulletin (17 July 2013)