National Day (Brunei)

National Day (; Jawi: کبڠساءن‎ هاري) or Independence Day () is the national day of Brunei, commemorating the anniversary of Brunei's proclamation of independence. It was made a national holiday by government decree in 1985. Although Brunei formally proclaimed independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, it did not celebrate its national day until 23 February.

History

Background

In 1888, Brunei signed a deal with the British to come under their protection in order to ensure its own political survival. As piracy and rebellion threatened the internal order of the kingdom and Sarawak's White Rajahs encroached on the borders, Sultan Hashim Jalilul Alam Aqamaddin petitioned the British government for help to slow the rapid collapse of Brunei's land. The British residency was established in 1906, and Brunei remained under their rule for an additional 53 years. The Constitution Agreement, which abolished the residence requirement and established internal self-government while leaving Britain in charge of defense and foreign policy, was signed with the United Kingdom in 1959, marking the beginning of the country's journey toward independence. The timeframe for independence was established by subsequent treaties with the United Kingdom in 1971 and 1979.

1 January 1984 Before midnight fell on 1 January 1984, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah read the Declaration of Independence:

Upon the reading of the proclamation, as midnight fell, Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the father of His Majesty, led three cries of "Allahu Akbar" among the 30,000 people gathered at the Padang Besar (present day Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien). After the national anthem Allah Peliharakan Sultan was played, a 21-gun salute was fired to celebrate the event, and the sounds of the hadrah resounded around the field. That evening, the capital Bandar Seri Begawan was packed to the gills with people from all over the country praying for a smooth handover outside the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the field despite the heavy rainfall.

23 February 1984 Notwithstanding the fact that Brunei proclaimed its independence on 1 January, the date for National Day was chosen as 23 February. Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium was chosen as the location for the celebrations. The Acting Chief Minister (Menteri Besar), Abdul Aziz, presided over the preparations.

Attendance Several key figures of the Commonwealth and countries' representatives attended the celebration, such as:

Charles, Prince of Wales Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, King of Tonga Malietoa Tanumafili II, O le Ao o le Malo of Samoa Suharto, President of Indonesia Ferdinand Marcos, President of the Philippines Zia-ul-Haq, President of Pakistan

Themes There have been multiple themes used for the celebration of national day such as; Year(s)ThemeTranslation1985Bersatu Padu Menghayati Konsep Negara Melayu Islam BerajaUnited to Appreciate the Concept of Malay Islamic State1986Membangun Negara Tanggungjawab BersamaBuilding a Country of Mutual Responsibility1987Bersatu Ke arah Keamaan dan KemajuanUnited Towards Prosperity and Progress1988Berdisiplin Cergas Berbudaya Negara BahagiaDisciplined, Healthy Culture, Happy Country1989Berdikari Meningkatkan Kemakmuran NegaraSelf-reliance Increases National Prosperity1990Perhubungan Berkesan Mengeratkan PerpaduanRelationships Effectively Strengthen Unity1991Bersatu Padu Mengekalkan Ketahanan NasionalUnited in Keeping the National Resilience1992Menanai Kedaulatan TanahairkuSurviving the Sovereignty of My Homeland1993Meneguhkan Kesejahteraan TanahairkuStrengthening the Well-being of My Homeland1994Bangsa Cemerlang Tanahair GemilangOutstanding Nation, Glorious Fatherland1995Brunei Darussalam TanahairkuBrunei Darussalam, My Homeland1996Pembangunan Masyarakat Matlamat NegaraCommunity Development, the National Goals1997Kemajuan Ekonomi Teras KesejahteraanCore Economic Progress of Wellbeing1998Membina Insan Yang Sempurna Dengan Pendidikan BersepaduBuilding the Perfect Human With Integrated Education1999Siap Siaga Ke Alaf BaruReady For The New Millennium2000Mengukuhkan Jati Diri Bangsa Di Alaf BaruStrengthening the Nation's Self-Reliance In The New Millennium2001Maju Bangsaku Sejahtera NegarakuForward My Nation, Prosperous is My Country2002Memperkasa Keupayaan BangsaEmpowering the Nation's Capabilities2003Bangsa Berilmu Negara MajuKnowledgeable Nation, Developed Country2004Patriotisme Teras Keteguhan NegaraPatriotism at the Core of National Strength2005Bersepadu Memperkasa Mandiri BangsaIntegrated Empowering the Nation2006Mempertingkatkan Daya Saing BangsaEnhancing the Competitiveness of the Nation2007Iltizam Memperkasa Keupayaan BangsaCommitment to Empowering the Nation's Capabilities2008Tunas BangsaBudding Nation2009Kedewasaan BernegaraAdulthood of the Nation2010–2013Negaraku Brunei DarussalamMy Country Brunei Darussalam2014–2016Generasi BerwawasanVisionary Generation2017–2023Menjayakan Wawasan NegaraSuccessing The National Vision2024–2026Bersatu Mencapai Cita NegaraUnited to Achieve the National Aspiration

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