His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah; Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha at the royal birthday banquet. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Thousands of uniformed personnel gathered under one roof at Istana Nurul Iman Saturday (July 27) for a banquet hosted by His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the monarch’s 78th birthday celebration.
Accompanying His Majesty were Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha; His Royal Highness Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Anisha Rosnah; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince Jefri Bolkiah.
Her Royal Highness Princess Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Her Royal Highness Princess Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam, along with other members of the royal family, were also present.
Other guests included state dignitaries, Cabinet ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
The banquet was preceded by the recitation of Doa Selamat by State Mufti Pehin Datuk Seri Maharaja Datuk Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Awang Abdul Aziz Juned.
The banquet was hosted for the uniformed personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Gurkha Reserve Unit, Immigration and National Registration Department (INRD), Royal Customs and Excise Department (RCED), National Service Programme (PKBN) and other enforcement agencies as well as the youth associations including Brunei Darussalam Scouts Association (PPNBD), Girl Guides Association of Brunei Darussalam (PPPBD), military and police cadets.
The banquet for officers and uniformed organisations aims to recognise their crucial role and responsibilities in maintaining the safety and security of the country, its citizens, and residents.
Sultan Hassanal later joined a Junjung Ziarah with the guests. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
