THE spirit of patriotism was in the air yesterday as the giant national flag was hoisted in the heart of the capital yesterday signalling the time for homes, offices and private buildings nationwide to fly the country's colour to mark the 65th birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on July 15.
The same flag-hoisting ceremony was repeated in the country's three other districts.
Measuring 12-foot wide and 24-foot long, the giant flag is hoisted onto a 110-foot high pole in the centre of the capital, in front of the Yayasan complex. This is a tradition observed since 2001.
The ceremony began with 65 flag bearers consisting of personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Prisons Department who lined up in front and around the venue.
This was followed by personnel from the Royal Brunei Navy, donning their white uniforms, who marched into the flag hoisting area to receive the giant national flag from Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman.
The event reached its pinnacle as the flag was slowly raised accompanied by the national anthem, Allah Peliharakan Sultan performed by a choir, made up of personnel from the Language and Literature Bureau, the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department, and the Fire and Rescue Department led by the Royal Brunei Police Force band.
The choir also performed two other songs, the Bendera Negara (national flag) and Rahmat (blessings).
The ceremony concluded with the handing over of flags and National Day posters by the minister to all district officers, namely Hj Jamain Hj Momin of Brunei-Muara, Matusin Orang Kaya Sura Hj Tuba of Belait , Hj Muhammad Suffian Hj Bungsu of Tutong and Acting Temburong District Officer, Hj Haris Hj Othman.
The flags and the national day posters will be distributed for free to the residents of their respective districts.
Unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to attend the official hoisting of the national flag... however I did manage to get some shots during their rehearsal a few days earlier...
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