| Lyna Mohamad & Danial Norjidi |

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 yesterday conferred his annual Kurnia (personal gifts) to 19,913 special needs individuals, orphans, destitute persons and welfare recipients ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration next week.

Two separate Kurnia presentation ceremonies were held in the Brunei-Muara and Tutong districts, which were duly graced by His Majesty’s sons and daughters as the personal representatives of the monarch.

Brunei-Muara

In a ceremony held at the Reception Hall of the Istana Nurul Iman, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman distributed the Kurnia to 3,295 recipients.

Their Royal Highnesses’ arrival at the Reception Hall was greeted by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong and Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, who were accompanied by their spouses.

The event began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and a Doa Selamat led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.

In a similar ceremony held at Baitur Rahmah of the Istana Nurul Iman, His Majesty’s Kurnia was distributed to 3,270 recipients by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah.

His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah were greeted on arrival by Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar, who were accompanied by their spouses.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Setia Raja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaili bin Haji Mohiddin.

Tutong

A total of 2,628 individuals received His Majesty’s Kurnia in a presentation ceremony held at the Tutong District Civic Centre Complex.

The Kurnia was distributed by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah, as the personal representatives of His Majesty.

Their Royal Highnesses were greeted on arrival by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Mokti bin Haji Mohd Daud and Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar, who were accompanied by their spouses.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat led by Dato Seri Setia Haji Zaimi bin Haji Talip.

The presentation of His Majesty’s Kurnia will continue today in separate ceremonies at the Istana Nurul Iman, as well as in the Belait and Temburong Districts.

The annual Kurnia presentation reflects His Majesty’s care and generosity in ensuring the well-being of the people during the festive period, regardless of their race or creed.

Brunei Darussalam will mark the first day of Hari Raya on June 5 or 6 next week, once the new moon of Syawal is sighted.