Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah posing for a photo during a get together with citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam in the United Kingdom and Ireland, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Dec 28. INFOFOTO
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and his consort Raja Isteri Pengiran Saleha graciously met and greeted approximately 1,130 Bruneian citizens and residents in the United Kingdom and Ireland during a get-together held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Sunday (Dec 28).
Accompanying their majesties during the event were Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
The gathering comprised students, government officers and Bruneians on holiday, reflecting the enduring bond between the royal couple and the people despite geographical distance.
Upon arrival, they royal family was warmly welcomed by the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the United Kingdom and Ireland, First Admiral (R) Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi Muhammad, and spouse, Pengiran Noralam Kahar, together with the President and Vice-President of the Brunei Students’ Union, Dayangku Nabilah Behrin and Zuhrah Fatin Aina Mohammad Shukri, respectively.
A warm and cordial atmosphere prevailed as the royal couple took the opportunity to interact with student representatives prior to the commencement of the ceremony.
They then signed the parchment and attended a luncheon with student representatives, and the Sultan delivered a speech followed by welcoming remarks by Brunei Students’ Union President Dayangku Nabilah.
During the event, Dayangku Nabilah spoke on the ceremony’s theme, Raja Berwawasan, Belia Pemacu Cita Negara, which she said reflects the Sultan's far-sighted leadership and the role of youth as strategic partners in national development, guided by the principles of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB).
She also highlighted the introduction of a BSU strategic framework known as “AIS” — Akar, Identiti and Sistem — which outlines practical steps to nurture students as future leaders and agents of change.
The framework aims to equip students with strong knowledge and high-level competencies, while encouraging them to challenge themselves during their time abroad.
The ceremony also featured the playing of the National Anthem of Brunei Darussalam, followed by the recitation of Surah Luqman by Awang Ahmad Rusydi Mohd Salleh, an undergraduate from Queen Mary University of London, with the intisari delivered by Mohammad Sahzwan Lamat, an undergraduate of Loughborough University.
Student representatives later presented a pesambah titled Perhubungan Rentak Serasi dan Semangat Sejati.
The offering comprised a badminton racket with a specially designed cover and a Ristaan book titled Raja Berwawasan, Belia Pemacu Cita Negara, symbolising the strong spirit, loyalty and close relationship between His Majesty and Bruneian students in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Raja Isteri Pengiran Saleha received a pesambah titled Cahaya Simpur: Lambang Perpaduan dan Semangat Kebangsaan, a floral stained-glass tribute featuring five national flowers — Brunei’s Simpur, England’s Tudor Rose, Scotland’s Thistle, Wales’ Daffodil and Ireland’s Shamrock.
The ceremony was further enlivened by a tausyeh performance entitled Bissalaamil Mubin by a combined group of Bruneian children, youths and students in the United Kingdom, and concluded with the recitation of Selawat. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
