The giant national flag hoisting ceremony to mark the beginning of the national celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's 62nd birthday was held yesterday.

Even though the sky was cloudy, spirits were still high during the ceremony, which was organised by the National Committee for His Majesty's 62nd birthday celebrations, at the open area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital.

The guest of honour was Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister of Home Affairs.

As the giant national flag was being hoisted, the national anthem was sung by a choir.

The Minister of Home Affairs then presented the official national flags to Dato Paduka Awang Haji Md Yussop bin Bakar, the Brunei-Muara District Officer, Awang Haji Jamain bin Momin, Tutong District Officer, Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Abd Rahman, Belait District Officer, and Awang Matusin bin Orang Kaya Sura Haji Tuba, Acting Temburong District officer, to be flown at their respective districts.

The giant national flag will be flown at the open area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital from July 1-31. Beginning July 1 until July 31, Pengiran-Pengiran and those who have been bestowed with titles are to hoist their personal flags and the public are to hoist their national flags.

The hoisting of the national flag portrays a sense of patriotism and enthusiasm as well as a love for the monarch and the country.

Meanwhile, a flag-raising ceremony for the Brunei-Muara District level was held yesterday at the community hall of Mentiri Resettlement Scheme Area.

The event was attended by officers of the Brunei-Muara District Office, 17 Penghulus of the district, army cadets from the Paduka Seri Maharaja Secondary School, school police cadet band and guests.

The guest of honour was Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yussof bin Bakar, the Brunei Muara District Officer.

The flag-raising ceremony, organised by the village council of Mukim Mentiri in cooperation with the Brunei-Muara District Office, was a continuation of an earlier event held in the capital in the morning.

The guest of honour presented the national flags to the Penghulus of the Brunei-Muara District. - Borneo Bulletin (2nd July 2008)