BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Thousands of people visited the Istana Nurul Iman on the last day of a three-day series of Open Houses being hosted by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and other members of the royal family for the public, Borneo Bulletin reported.
Among those in attendance were senior citizens, including Dayang Hjh Limah Haji Hashim, 60, from Kg Lambak Kin, who was helped by her daughter who pushed her wheelchair inside the palace with expressions of happiness and excitement.
According to her daughter, “This is the first time she has visited the palace and despite the wheelchair, it is not a burden for her to come to the palace this year”
Sverre Thorkildsen, together with three other friends – Lfif Hanvgen, Svein Vinsnesbaikk and Steinor Dahle – from Norway, said that this was a first-time experience for them as they greeted the royal family. The Norwegians are employed under Aker Solutions Company, which is involved in the oil and gas industry in Brunei.
“The atmosphere inside the palace is amazing and the queuing was organised, with so many people from all walks of life greeting His Majesty and other royals,” he said.
“We don’t want to miss this rare opportunity, which is hard to be found in other parts of the world, where people come to the palace and greet their monarch personally” he added.
Dyg Sadiah Hj Ghani of RIPAS Hospital said, “This is my first time being given a task to do inside the palace during the celebration. I feel honoured and happy to be given the opportunity to feel the Hari Raya atmosphere here as both a worker and celebrant.” She was tasked with assisting the senior citizens visiting the palace.
There were also visitors from Kuching and Miri, Sarawak.
“Our visit to Brunei this year is very memorable because we managed to visit the palace and greet the royal family,” said Abd Khadir Shukor from Kuching.
The guests were served sumptuous meals in a comfortable dining area neatly arranged with tables and chairs akin to a plush restaurant complete with waiters and housekeeping staff on hand.
Uniformed personnel from the Royal Brunei Police Force as well as the Fire and Rescue Department were seen stationed in all corners to ensure that crowd control was orderly and to usher in visitors to the grand hall to convey their greeting to the royal family.
Executive Committee members of Mukim and Village Consultative Councils from all four districts, as well as a delegation from the Ministry of Home Affairs were seen at the palace as well.