National Day rehearsal in full swing

MORE than 21, 000 participants gave their best to perfect performances and the cadence of their march during full-dress rehearsal for the 27th National Day celebrations at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien in the capital yesterday.

A total of 117 groups from the government, non-governmental organisations, schools and the public sector from the Sultanate's four districts besides the 7,700 performers braved the scorching heat to ensure that the February 23 presentation in front of the entire country will be successful and flawless.

Present to witness and to inspect the proceedings were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Aminuddin Ihsan Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Hj Abidin, Acting Police Commissioner Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam DCP Dato Paduka Hj Hasrin Dato Paduka Hj Sabtu, Permanent Secretaries Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Hamid Hj Mohd Jaafar, Dato Paduka Hj Jemat Ampal, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pg Hj Bahrom Pg Hj Bahar, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office Hj Mahrub Hj Murni and other senior officials and staff.

The minister told The Brunei Times about how successful yesterday's rehearsal was giving a "100 per cent" mark compared to the last rehearsal on Thursday which he only gave a rating of 75 per cent.

However, the minister stressed: "To reach a 100 per cent success is almost there but if it's 100 per cent today then we have to do a 101 per cent on the day itself."

"I would like everybody to applaud themselves for a very successful run, every participant has been performing well," said Pehin Hj Hazair while addressing the participants at the end of the rehearsal.

Other participants were also excited that the marching and performance routine resulted with high confidence.

"The marching was the fun part especially when trying to march and wave the flag in unison with everyone. I just hope it does not rain on the day," said Nor Masitiamalina Hj Suhaini, teacher at the Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College (Maktab Duli).

Earlier reports said that if heavy rain would hit on the day of celebrations, the marching would not proceed but the performances would still push through.

"It's a great feeling to see participants from many different areas such as government and the private sector come together," said Army Officer Asma Ahmad Farisulamin.

This year's celebrations, which carry the theme "Negaraku, Brunei Darussalam" or "My Country, Brunei Darussalam", will see three performances with the twirling of white, red and black umbrellas. The same will conclude the performances with the participants shouting out "Merdeka" with their umbrellas raised high up at the end of the number. The choir of 75 members composed of students from various primary and secondary schools will be singing 24 songs which will include the national anthem.

Twenty-seven pledge readers will lead the country's recitation of their oaths.

Outside the Taman, a sea of yellow, white, red and black would welcome visitors as the shops and buildings have been decked up for the celebrations, displaying the Brunei flag, banners and billboards announcing the country's 27th National Day.

The Brunei Times