Fly the national flag properly

IN THE run-up to the 26th National Day on February 23, government offices concerned produced a video clip presentation at Rimba II primary school yesterday to demonstrate the right way to fly the national flag.

Put together by the Information Department with the cooperation of the Mukim Gadong A consultative council, the video "Kibarkanlah Dengan Megah Bendera Negara" (Hoist the National Flag with Pride), explained how to fly the national flag on poles in front of houses or any other buildings which should not be more than 20 feet in height.

For those who live in places without compounds, each flagpole should measure 10 feet in length and be secured on the balconies attached to the wall at an angle of 30 degrees.

Flags may be flown on top of buildings as long as the flagpoles are not driven into the ground. The flagpole should stand at least 10 feet high.

A miniature flag should be placed in the middle of the front of the bonnet, when flown from a car.

Yesterday's campaign was also a showcase of national pride; the day starting with the raising of the flag in front of the guest of honour Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Abdul Mutalib Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yussof.

The event moved to the school's hall where the audience sang the National Anthem led by a choir of students.

Following this the students from the Rimba II Primary School waved their flags and proudly sang the patriotic song "Bedera Negara" (National Flag).

A poem was then read entitled "Bendera Ku Kibarkan" (I Wave the flag), followed by a talk from Universiti Brunei Darussalam Professor Madya Dr Hj Asbol Hj Mail about the national flag.

The event ended with the distribution of the Brunei national flag to 150 residents from the Rimba area by the guest of honour.

The National Flag Raising Campaign hopes to instill and enhance awareness of about their roles and responsibilities to raise the national flag on important days, especially during the anniversary celebration of Brunei National Day and the birthday of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

The campaign aims to inform the people the function and role of the national flag as a symbol of identity, a catalyst for the spirit of nationalism and national pride and to respect and love the flag as a symbol of supremacy and sovereignty of the king, nation and country.

Also present at the event was the Director of Information Dr Muhammad Hadi Muhammad Melayong.

Except for the crest, the state flag has been in use since 1906 when Brunei became a Protectorate State. The crest was introduced in 1959 after the declaration of the Brunei Constitution.

The Brunei Times