By Sonia K & Helena M. Mahathir
Thousands of people flocked to the field of Muda Hashim Primary School yesterday to extend their birthday wishes to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a get-together ceremony for Tutong District.
Accompanying the monarch were His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Abdul Azim, HRH Prince Abdul Malik, and HRH Prince Abdul Mateen.
Several events were organised by the Tutong District Executive Committee for His Majesty's 59th birthday celebrations including field performances.
Four segments of performances were featured in yesterday's event. The first was an interesting performance by 100 school cadets from Muda Hashim and Sayyidina Othman secondary schools.
Next was a cultural show showcasing the traditions of various ethnic groups in the Tutong District such as Kedayan, Melayu Brunei, Dusun, and Iban. The performance was accompanied by gulingtangan music "Joget Seri Kenangan", performed by students from Sufri Bolkiah and Sayyidina Othman secondary schools.
The third segment was a medley entitled "Bahagia Sejahtera", which highlighted the traditional dances of the ethnic groups. Participated by some 200 female students from Sufri Bolkiah Secondary School, the performance was accompanied by musical numbers such as "Menjunjung Duli/Sultan Payung Mahkota" and "Sebarkan Ke Santero Dunia".
In the final segment, all participants gathered to form the national flag while the theme song, "Bersatu Menjunjung Kedaulatan Raja" was played. There was also a paramotor show to symbolise the era of technological advancement and modernisation.
After the performances, His Majesty and other royal family members received greetings from subjects and residents of Tutong District.
- Borneo Bulletin
(20th July 2005)
