Khairi Razak
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Tiong Hwa community in Tutong yesterday was urged to be more active and more aware of the nation’s aspirations at a briefing on nation-building aimed to foster a patriotic spirit among local residents.

At the event, organised by the Information Department’s Tutong branch, Information Department Director Dr Hj Muhammad Hadi Muhammad Melayong delivered a speech to some 30 participants.

In his briefing titled Negara Kesultanan Melayu Islam, which roughly translates as “A Malay Islamic Sultanate”, Dr Hj Muhammad Hadi gave explained the origins of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), which was formally proclaimed as the national philosophy on January 1, 1984 the date Brunei’s independence was declared.

The director said that the national concept was important as it has bought peace upon the country, not only to ethnic Malays, but also to the Tiong Hwa community.

Aiming to give the association members a deeper understanding of the history of MIB, the director also highlighted that the Chinese community has been responsible for many developments that have contributed to the Sultanate’s economic and social growth, adding that it was the responsibility of its people to help the country and understand this philosophy.

Dr Hj Muhammad Hadi said that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah during 38th Birthday expressed his hope that the Tiong Hwa community would continue to uphold political stability and prosperity to “The Abode of Peace”. The Brunei Times

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