Grand banquet marks royal birthday

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam hosted visitors on the Banquet Corridor of Istana Nurul Iman to have fun the monarch’s 77th birthday yesterday.

Accompanying Their Majesties had been His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister on the Prime Minister’s Workplace, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman.

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Giant on the Ministry of Overseas Affairs; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam; in addition to members of the royal household had been additionally in attendance.

Among the many distinguished visitors had been Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah Tun Datuk Seri Panglima (Dr) Haji Juhar bin Datuk Haji Mahiruddin and partner Toh Puan Datin Seri Panglima (Dr) Hajah Norlidah binti Tan Sri Datuk RM Jasni; Singaporean Minister for Well being Ong Ye Kung and partner Kuik Sin Leng; Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor and Datin Seri Panglima Hajah Juliah Salag; and Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Second Minister of Pure Assets and City Growth and Minister for Worldwide Commerce, Business and Funding of Sarawak Dato Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hassan and partner Dato Hajah Dayang Morliah binti Datuk Awang Daud.

Royal Thai Armed Forces’ Chief of Defence Forces Dato Paduka Seri Common Chalermphon Srisawasdi and partner Budsakorn Srisawatsdi; and Indonesian Nationwide Armed Forces Common Dato Paduka Seri Andika Perkasa and partner Datin Diah Erwiany had been additionally current.

Different visitors included state dignitaries, Cupboard ministers, authorities officers and members of the diplomatic corps.

The royal banquet was preceded by the singing of the nationwide anthem and recitation of Doa Selamat by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.

Friends in conventional Malay costume and formal apparel dined on numerous delicacies whereas bands from the Royal Brunei Police Pressure and the Ministry of Tradition, Youth and Sports activities performed on the venue. – Adib Noor