| James Kon & Rokiah Mahmud |

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 and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam joined members of the local Chinese community in celebrating Chinese New Year (CNY) 2019 in a gala event packed with lively performances, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.

Accompanying Their Majesties were 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 Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar, Chief of Adat Istiadat Negara.

Upon arrival at the venue that was decorated with Chinese New Year atmosphere, Their Majesties and members of the royal family were welcomed by Honorary Advisor to the organising committee for the Chinese New Year celebrations 2019 Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Goh King Chin; Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Ong Tiong Oh and Organising Chairman of this year’s Chinese New Year get-together celebration Dato Ting Jack Chai.

Also present were Cabinet Ministers, members of the LegCo, prominent figures in the government, foreign dignitaries and members of the Chinese community.

Prior to the start of the show, the national anthem was performed, followed by the presentation of pesambah to Their Majesties.

Led by Soon Seng Lee, 30 representatives from the local Chinese community read out a pledge of allegiance to His Majesty and the country.

Their Majesties and members of the royal family were then entertained by a 40-minute performance which included traditional dances from Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan; traditional ethnic dances from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; a Chinese Yo-Yo dance from Chung Ching Middle School, Seria; Wushu performances from national athletes; and Chinese New Year songs as the finale.

Following the show, the performers lined up to greet Their Majesties and members of the royal family.

Afterwards, invited guests took the opportunity to greet and take pictures with Their Majesties and members of the royal family.

In an interview with the Bulletin, Dato Ting Jack Chai said the annual Chinese New Year gala with Their Majesties is a much-anticipated event for the local Chinese community.

He added, “We are thankful to be living in this prosperous country, under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.”