Shun hype, promote spirit of patriotism

HM favours meaningful celebrations

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah stressed the need for a landmark to highlight the importance of an event and not the mass advertising tactics used to show support for national celebrations.

"It is my opinion that to emphasise on importance, there is a need for landmarks to commemorate the occasion or event. This includes big events such as National Day and so on" said His Majesty.

Landmarks for these celebrations include the establishment of themes, flag raising and mass prayers in mosques nationwide. Without these landmarks, said His Majesty, the celebrations would be less meaningful.

The monarch's comment on the way national celebrations are showcased pointed out the methods and medium used for promoting the "spirit of nationalism and patriotism".

"Same goes with my birthday celebrations," said His Majesty, who noted that it is also commemorated with its own landmarks similar to national day celebrations.

"The only difference is that my image is plastered all over the place," he said.

"The putting up of these images, it seems as if it is without efforts and without putting thought into its placement and location," noted His Majesty.

The monarch pointed out how some are put up at inappropriate places such as junctions with the idea that it would be seen by all motorists who pass by as if it were advertisements. "Why I am commenting on this, because even as I speak, the places which normally carry these advertisements, will soon be replaced with my images," said His Majesty.

This has been going on for quite some time, said His Majesty, as he queried on how the choosing of locations for these promotional campaigns that normally carry advertisements automatically become the place where national celebrations are promoted as well.

"Is there no other place which is appropriate or strategic?" asked His Majesty. "It is my opinion that, national celebration landmarks are not advertisements, and should not be intended to charm consumers as advertisements do, but should be strategically placed to evoke the spirit of patriotism and nationalism," said His Majesty.

His Majesty in his titah delivered during his visit to the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday also pointed out other weaknesses in the promotion of national celebrations such as purposely printing many of his images and plastering them with sponsors all over the place. Most of the times these images are reprints of the same design with no variety, said His Majesty. "What is the use of printing so many with only one design. Does this not promote wastage?" he asked."However, I do not want to elaborate further because this should be the task of the committee which comprise of those that are in the power to make these changes without having to be told," said His Majesty. The Brunei Times