BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Thursday, 23 February 2023 – Command & Staff Course (CSC) 13/2023 Participants had the opportunity to celebrate Brunei's 39th National Day. The day before the event, Brunei National Anthem was played at the CSC lecture room followed by sharing from local course participant, Major (U) Muhammad Nur Aidi bin Haji Abdul Razak on the significance and facts of Brunei National Day. Brunei declared independence on 1st January 1984 and the date for National Day was set as 23 February 1984.
CSC cohorts joined the grand assembly of Brunei's 39th National Day celebration, which saw the participation of uniformed personnel and thousands of people from various government departments and ministries, private sectors, education institutes, special need individual groups, Non-Government Office (NGOs), and Youth Family at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien. This year theme is ‘Menjayakan Wawasan Negara’ which translates as ‘Achieving the National Vision’. The theme emphasizes that every citizen and resident, as well as every sector engaged in the nation's growth, has a responsibility to play in ensuring the accomplishment of Wawasan Brunei 2035.
This was a great experience for the International Officer (IO) as they get the opportunity to see the uniqueness of Brunei traditional culture, traditional dances and witness the variety of ethnic group wearing their traditional customs during their marching in front of 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.
Lieutenant Commander Seif Alhares, IO from Jordan expressed his excitement that this golden opportunity was his first experience celebrating Brunei National Day event. “Today we had the opportunity to share the happiness of celebrating the national day anniversary with our friends and families from Brunei Darussalam. We are happy from your happiness. I ask Allah to increase your goodness and generosity and to bring happiness to your people always. May Allah bring you back abundant health and wellness year after year.”
Major Andrew Keith IO from United States of America also expressed his enjoyment during the event, “I had a great experience at Brunei Darussalam National Day Parade! I enjoyed seeing the organizations from across all different parts of Brunei march together. The performance was very entertaining. My family also enjoyed seeing all the different cultures' traditional dress.”
“Good very interesting and show about the relationship between ASEAN countries. Performed of Bruneian love their King and country.” Lieutenant Colonel Theerata Kultonta Wrta IO from Thailand.
