BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sunday, 25 November 2018 – 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 as well as other royal family members consented to participate in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) 57km cycling expedition held today at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien in the capital.
The arrival of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and other royal family members was welcomed by the Minister of Defence II, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof, and the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud.
The cycling event which was organised by Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), which was also opened to public, saw a total number of 1,057 participants from the RBAF, which consist of 220 personnel from RBN. The cycling event encompassed Bandar Seri Begawan with a distance of 57km, and covered several main roads namely, Tasek Meradun, Kampong Sengkurong, Kampong Jerudong, Lebuhraya Tungku, Gadong, and Masjid Jame’ Asri, with the finish line located at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien.
The event also showcased a morning Masjidku Makmur programme at the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque with a mass Fajr prayer. A morning Tazkirah titled ‘Tanggungjawab Mempertahankan Keamanan Negara’ was delivered by Captain Mohammad Ayza Azrine bin Ayahani, Operations Officer from the RBAF Religious Department, Ministry of Defence.
Following the cycling event, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam visited sponsor’ exhibitions with several activities that were lined up by relevant agencies, such as RBAF Medical Services Reception (MRS), Ministry of Health, military recruitment roadshow and others.
During the prize presentation ceremony of the RBAF 57 km cycling expedition to the winners, the Minister of Defence II, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof also handed over donation to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin for the Humanitarian Fund for Sulawesi Disaster. This was also followed by the official launching and handover of the RBAF Fund for Orphans by Commander of RBAF.
The cycling event was organised as one of the activities on the sidelines of the 57th RBAF Anniversary celebration. In organising the cycling event, the RBAF also collaborated with other ministries and various sponsors. This event aimed to contribute to the development of a sporting culture, with the acknowledgement that cycling is recognized as a national hobby, as well as strengthen national unity through community involvement as a whole and promote good health.
