Sporting a blue La Martina “Tradicion del Polo Argentino” blazer, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei visited the Belait District where thousands of residents including visitors from abroad had gathered at the Padang Bandaran in Kuala Belait to meet and greet the Sultan on his 64th birthday celebration. According to a Brunei Times report, Muhd Faza Mohd Suraj purposely brought his relatives from Indonesia to experience the vibrance of His Majesty’s birthday celebration. Many thanks to Vincent who expedited the focusing ring replacement of my EF 100-400mm lens without which close-ups of His Majesty would not have been possible.
The Suzuki Calvacade-powered motorcade signifies the arrival of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei and the Royal entourage.For as long as I can remember, His Majesty’s choice of transport has been the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI.Mounted on the roof of the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI is the Royal Crest.
First member of the Royal family to greet us with a smile at the Royal Dais is HRH Prince Abdul Azim
His Majesty is greeted by Minister of Home Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awang Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Othman
A highlight of His Majesty’s visit, the final round of the National Tug-Of-War competition between Brunei-Muara and Belait team. Thumbs-up gesture signals the teams to get ready.Picking up the rope in green jersey is the Belait team that was defeated by the Brunei-Muara team (Heavy Weight category)Is it any wonder the Brunei-Muara team won—the coach looks it, feels it and screams it—he means business!The courtesy high five when the two heavy weight team members cross path
A smiling monarch indicative of His Majesty’s appreciation and approval of the event performances.
The ceremony began with the national anthem by the 200 strong choir group comprising students and government officers. The ceremony concluded with a nasyid performance by the choir.
His Majesty consents to present the trophies to winners of the Tug-Of-War competition.His Majesty presents championship trophy of the lightweight category to the Temburong team.Following the championship trophy presentation, a Temburong team puller shakes the hand (“bersalam”) of His Majesty respecting the traditional Malay etiquette.His Majesty presents championship trophy of the heavyweight category to the Brunei-Muara team.
A royal touch. His Majesty shakes the hand of a student from one of the school in the Belait district.During the much anticipated “Ramah Mesra Bersama Rakyat” (meet and greet the people) session, there’s no shortage of hands all wanting, hoping for a chance to shake His Majesty’s hand.As lucky as these gentlemen are, I too managed to shake hands with His Majesty as he begins the “Ramah Mesra Bersama Rakyat” session.
Kudos to Azri HMS for this brilliant moment. The combination of fill and opportune flash adds depth to this nicely exposure picture on an otherwise gray morning.His Majesty speaks to Ms Alena Korotkova, a Russian national and well engineer with Halliburton, one of a number of expatriates thrilled to have met and talked to the Sultan.
The young and senior residents of Belait including foreign visitors are out on this special day to meet and greet our Sultan.Patient visitors (and probably wisest of the lot) await to see His Majesty from a different vantage point. I like how the doors of the Phantom opens swing open facing each other—less conventional but nonetheless very practical.Push comes to shove as the crowd realizes His Majesty is about to leave the premise. Police and security personnel locked hands to form a human chain to stop the crowd from lunging forward dangerously.Yes folks, all good things must come to an end sooner or later. I look forward to the next get together with His Majesty after I return from my Malaysia Tourism engagement in KL and Pulau Langkawi.
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3 thoughts on “BRUNEI SULTAN BRINGS JOY TO BELAIT RESIDENTS”
SHIMWORLD 
wow jan great works love it 🙂
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