All systems go for 26th National Day celebrations

TAMAN Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien was vibrant with colours and smiling faces despite the sweltering heat as participants of the upcoming National Day celebration on February 23 carried out their full dress rehearsal yesterday morning.

A total of 109 teams from government ministries and departments, schools, organisations as well as the private sector from all the four districts will make up the grand parade on the big day, which will comprise more than 20,800 participants.

The parade will be made even grander with the march-past of uniformed officers from government agencies representing the various ministries, including the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), among others.

Although visitors may miss the absence of field performances this year as seen in previous National Day celebrations, the parade still represents one of the most highly awaited spectacles among all walks of life in the Sultanate.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad Hj Jumat was present on the last day of rehearsal yesterday to ensure the smooth and successful running of planned activities.

The minister was joined by Pg Seri Wijaya Pg Hj Ahmad Pg Mohd Yusof from the Department of Adat Istiadat; Pehin Jawatan Dalam Seri Maharaja Dato Seri Utama Dr Hj Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, Principal of the History Centre; and Police Commissioner Pehin Datu Kerma Setia CP Dato Paduka Seri Zainuddin Jalani. Also present were senior officials from various government ministries and departments.

Also taking part in the rehearsal was Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, as a member of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) army cadets alongside Pengiran Siti Aminah Pengiran Othman, the spouse of Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Wadood Bolkiah Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.

Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Khairul Khalil Pengiran Syed Hj Jaafari, husband of Her Royal Highness Princess Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah, also marched along with other members of the Prime Minister's Office.

During rehearsal over the past few days, safety and crowd control were one of the top priorities as the Investigation and Traffic Control Unit of the RBPF were on hand to control and monitor traffic before and after the rehearsal, and the Ministry of Health could be seen taking measures to prepare for the possibility of heat stroke victims or anyone requiring medical attention.

Nurses, doctors and support staff were on a constant lookout for any heat stroke victims and any other possible injuries with tents set up as makeshift clinics provided at the venue. On the actual day, four mobile clinics will be set up around the capital, three of which will be manned by the Ministry of Health and one by the RBAF.

In addition, six ambulances will be on standby within the vicinity of the capital on the big day.

Several roads were also closed during the rehearsal to ensure safety and to facilitate the movement of the parade.

On the day of the celebration itself, roads to be closed beginning 6.30am are: The T-junction traffic light at Batu Satu in Jalan Tutong (road leading to Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah highway in front of Baadiah building); cross junction traffic light at Batu Satu in Jalan Tutong (near the Law Office building heading to BSB); T-junction traffic light at Jalan Tutong/Jalan Hj Basir (near the Fire Station, BSB); T-junction traffic light at Jalan Tutong/Jalan Kumbang Pasang (near St George's School); Jalan Stoney in front of Terrace Hotel; Jalan Bendahara near Sheraton Hotel; Jalan Elizabeth II near the Chinese To-Kong; Jalan Pemancha near Brunei Hotel; Jalan Cator near Britannia House; Jalan McArthur near the Residency bridge; Jalan Residency near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Jalan Sultan; Jalan Robert and Jalan Pretty.

On February 23, VIPs and car pass holders will only be allowed access to these roads as late as 7.15am.

The Brunei Times