His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam have consented to attend a Get-Together held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, organised by the Brunei Darussalam Tiong Hwa Community. The function was held yesterday at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri were greeted on arrival by the Honorary Advisor to the Executive Committee for the Chinese New Year Get-Together, Yang Berhormat Pehin Kapitan Lela Diraja Dato Paduka Awang Goh King Chin, and members of the executive committee.
Accompanying His Majesty and Her Majesty at the Get-Together were His Majesty's sons, daughters, brothers and sisters and their respective spouses - His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh 'Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
The presence of Their Majesties at the Chinese New Year Get-Together signified the high level of attention towards the diversity of ethnic communities in the country, including the Chinese community, which makes up the second largest ethnic group in Brunei Darussalam after the Malay community.
The event was enlivened with a number of cultural song and dance performances by students of Chung Hwa Middle School Bandar Seri Begawan. The Lunar New Year is the biggest celebration for the Chinese. This year is the Year of the Horse. According to Chinese belief, the Horse is a symbol of prosperity, well-being and strength in life and career, as well as joy and good fortune in business.
Another highlight of the function was a Wushu performance by members of the Brunei Darussalam Wushu Federation. The Chinese New Year Get-Together has become somewhat of an annual tradition, and serves to gather together and unite members of the community whatever their organisational background. As members of the society in this Abode of Peace, the local Chinese presented this get-together as a platform for expressing their undivided loyalty to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, while at the same time working hand in hand with other communities in further developing the country, in line with Vision 2035.
At the lobby area of the International Convention Centre, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri viewed an exhibition showcasing the customs and traditions of the Tiong Hwa Community, along with other members of the royal family. The exhibition was participated by Chung Hwa Middle School and a number of Chinese associations in the country. The majority of the local Chinese community are involved in business, education, medicine and health, and in the agriculture and manufacturing industries, all of which have important roles to play in advancing the country's socio-economy and development. The community is also known to always work hand in hand with other community groups in making welfare-oriented contributions to members of the diverse society.
In sports, particularly in Wushu, two local Chinese athletes - Faustina Woo Wai Sii and Lee Ying Shi - did their nation proud when they won Gold in the SEA Games in Myanmar in December. For members of the local Chinese community, the get-together was a golden opportunity to meet with and greet their beloved monarch, and to extend junjung ziarah to His Majesty and Her Majesty. The local Chinese community makes up 18 per cent of the country's population. This year marks the EIGHTH time the Tiong Hwa Community Chinese New Year Get-Together has been held. The Lunar New Year Festival signals a new start for members of the Chinese community. For them, this means that they can start the year 2014 with new determination and in high spirits, and endeavour to always maintain solidarity with fellow citizens in facing all kinds of challenges, so that they could create an even brighter, and more glorious future for the nation.
News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
Photo courtesy of InfoFoto
