• Today: September 15, 2026

Giant national flag lowering marks end of royal birthday celebration

Brunei Darussalam’s giant national flag was lowered yesterday in a ceremony at the Open Area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in Bandar Seri Begawan to mark the conclusion of the 80th Birthday Celebration of 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.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, who serves as co-chair of the National Committee for His Majesty’s 80th Birthday Celebration, was the guest of honour.

The event commenced with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Kampong Pintu Malim Mosque Affairs Officer Awangku Haji Muhammad Syukri bin Pengiran Haji Sulaiman.

It proceeded with the entrance of 80 members of the Brunei Darussalam National Flag Bearer Team, accompanied by the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) Brass Band. The choir team from Sengkurong Sixth Form Centre performed the national anthem.

The giant flag, measuring 3.7 by 7.5 metres, was lowered by Royal Brunei Navy personnel and handed over to the guest of honour.

The giant national flag of Brunei Darussalam was lowered yesterday in a ceremony at the Open Area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in Bandar Seri Begawan, to mark the conclusion of 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’s 80th Birthday Celebration. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha receives the giant national flag. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, DANIEL LIM, TUTONG DISTRICT OFFICE & TEMBURONG DISTRICT OFFICE
Acting Belait District Officer Haji Amirol Hafidzin bin Haji Muhammad receives the national flag. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, DANIEL LIM, TUTONG DISTRICT OFFICE & TEMBURONG DISTRICT OFFICE
ABOVE & BELOW: Acting Temburong District Officer Hassan Baha bin Haji Umar; and Acting Tutong District Officer Haji Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri receiving the national flag. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, DANIEL LIM, TUTONG DISTRICT OFFICE & TEMBURONG DISTRICT OFFICE
PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI, DANIEL LIM, TUTONG DISTRICT OFFICE & TEMBURONG DISTRICT OFFICE

Legislative Council members, National Committee members including permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, and heads of departments, alongside Brunei-Muara District Penghulus and Village Heads, senior government officials, and officers and staff from the Ministry of Home Affairs were also present.

The ceremony symbolised the conclusion of the flag-hoisting period for personal flags of Pengiran-Pengiran and titled individuals, as well as the national flag displayed on buildings and business premises nationwide.

Simultaneous flag lowering ceremonies were also conducted across all districts. In the Belait District, the ceremony took place at the Menara Cendera Kenangan, with Acting Belait District Officer Haji Amirol Hafidzin bin Haji Muhammad attending as the guest of honour alongside penghulus, village heads, and representatives from government and private agencies.

RBPF personnel lowered the national flag, which had been flown since July 1, before handing it to Acting Belait District Officer Haji Amirol Hafidzin.

The ceremony concluded with the recitation of Doa Peliharakan Sultan dan Negara Brunei Darussalam led by STKRJ Lorong Tiga Selatan Seria Mosque Imam Shahirwandy bin Samsudin.

In the Temburong District, the ceremony took place at the Belalong Hall car park of the Mukim Bangar Civic Hall Complex, with Acting Temburong District Officer Hassan Baha bin Haji Umar attending as the guest of honour.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah by Puni Mosque Imam Mohamad Hafizuddin bin Awang Masri, followed by the national anthem, the lowering and handover of the national flag to the guest of honour, and a closing Doa Selamat.

District committee members, heads of government departments, penghulus, and village heads were in attendance.

Meanwhile, in the Tutong District, the ceremony was held at the Tutong District Community Hall Complex with Acting Tutong District Officer Haji Mohammad Sofian bin Haji Basri as the guest of honour.

Lamunin Village Mosque Chief Imam Abd Wafi bin Haji Awang led the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat.

RBPF personnel subsequently lowered the national flag following the national anthem, bringing the official birthday flag-raising period to an end across government premises, private establishments, and residences throughout the country. 

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/James Kon & Daniel Lim

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