TUTONG: A united people are the core strength of any nation. Such unity or solidarity was showcased by the communities in the Tutong District at the Get-Together and Junjung Ziarah Ceremony with His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
The event held in celebration of His Majesty’s 68th Birthday was the second this year, following a similar one in the Belait District on Sunday. The route leading to the Tutong Civic Centre Padang where the penultimate celebration took place was lined up by hundreds of students waving miniature National Flags. The youngsters, as expendable as they have always been, were at the forefront in welcoming His Majesty to the Tutong District.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman as the Chairman of the His Majesty’s Birthday Celebration’s Executive Committee, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi Hj Md Yussof and the Tutong District Officer, Awg Wardi Hj Md Ali.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
The droning cheers of ‘Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik’ resonated as the Penghulu Mukim, Village Heads and Longhouse Chiefs in the Tutong District welcomed the Monarch. In his welcoming address, the District Officer representing the people of Tutong, renewed their pledge of undivided loyalty to His Majesty.
The ceremony was inaugurated with the finals of the National Level Tug-of-War Contest. The three-category tug-of-war is one of the traditional events in His Majesty’s birthday celebrations
With the theme “The Monarch of People’s Unity”, the special performances involved four hundred and sixty individuals comprising youth and children, students, members of Village Consultative Councils, government and private sector employees, members of associations and non-government organisations or NGOs as well as volunteers.
The performances showcased His Majesty’s leadership in religion, education, development, economy, security and the people’s prosperity. They also depicted social integration in nurturing the sense of being Bruneian and creating visionary, progressive and dynamic youth to uphold the sovereignty of the Monarch, Race and Nation.
With an area of one thousand, one hundred sixty six square kilometres, the Tutong District is a tourist destination with a wealth of agricultural resources and unique flora and fauna. Its tranquil natural environment offers many places for recreation to the communities living there. The natural beauty of Tutong was among the highlights of the special performances. At the end of the performances, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to present prizes to the winners of the National Level Tug-of-War Contest. Category ‘A’ or the 155 lbs weight category was won by the Brunei-Muara District. They received BND$2,000 and the Duli Pengiran Perdana Wazir Rotatory Trophy. The second and third places went to the Belait and Temburong Districts. Meanwhile Category ‘B’ for total weight of 2425 lbs was also won by the Brunei-Muara District who again received BND$2,000 and the Duli Pengiran Perdana Wazir Rotatory Trophy.
The second place winner was the Tutong District, while the Belait District came in third. Category ‘C’ for youths aged nineteen years-old and below was won the Belait District. They received one thousand five hundred dollars. The Tutong District was second, while the Brunei-Muara District was third. His Majesty’s presence in the Tutong District today was a priceless gift to his people and others living in the district and would undoubtedly become a lasting memory and a historical oral tradition.
Also present at the Get Together and Junjung Ziarah were His Majesty’s princes and brothers, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
His Majesty’s greatness and wise and just leadership have led to progress, prosperity and security in the district. These are enjoyed by al the residents in Tutong regardless of their race or creed. As His Majesty stressed in a titah, the effective foundation of good leadership comes from good relations between the leader and the followers.
The caring nature of the people’s monarch was evident when His Majesty visited the Tutong District to personally see the plight of residents affected by heavy rains and floods, especially those living in low flood prone areas.
The involvement of the Mukim and Kampung Consultative Council in the event was platform for the communities’ solidarity, consensus and harmonious mukim and kampung life. This in turn would generate prosperity and security. Deep concern for the people’s wellbeing, economic and social development based on the Bruneian mould and Islamic teachings, has made His Majesty popular and adored by the people not only in Brunei but also by others outside the country.
His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family concluded the visit and get together at a luncheon at the Main Hall of the Tutong Civic Centre. Doa Selamat was led by the Tutong Shari’ah Subordinate Court Judge, Pg Hj Shahril Azman Pg Hj Metusin.
Before departing from the ceremony, His Majesty and members of the Royal Family consented to receive the Junjung Ziarah from members of His Majesty’s 68th Birthday Celebrations Executive Committee.