BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

NEWLYWEDS His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia (YAM) Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah Pengiran Hj Bolkiah were presented together for the first time in a glittering ceremony at Istana Nurul Iman.

The Majlis Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja (sitting-in-state ceremony) took place at the palace‘s Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana (throne hall) yesterday, marking the height of wedding celebrations that started on April 5.

All eyes were on the royal couple, who were dressed in matching gold-coloured brocade attire and seated on a specially built gold and black dais.

Gracing the ceremony were His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha.

Also present were His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah and other royal family members.

Among the VIP guests were Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdul Aziz, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Ha’il region; Head of Sarawak State Tun Dato Laila Utama Tun Pehin Sri Dr Hj Abdul Taib Mahmud; Sabah Chief Minister Dato Seri Paduka Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman as well as Datuk Amar Hj Awg Tengah Ali Hasan, minister of Planning and Environment II of Sarawak.

The ceremony began when a group of four Awang-awang entered the throne hall, followed by the lighting of dian empat (a set of four ceremonial candles).

This was followed by two Awang-awang bearing a two-piece kasur namat, a yellow mattress and a silk mat embroidered with gilded threads, which they then placed in the centre of the ceremonial candles.

Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Hj Mohamad Hj Daud then informed Chief of Adat Istiadat YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Aziz that the ceremony to invite the royal couple was ready to start.

Following the monarch’s consent, Datin Hjh Edah Hj Mohd Noor, spouse of the Legislative Council Speaker, and Datin Paduka Hjh Jahrah Hj Mohammad, wife of the Minister of Education, proceeded to fetch the bride.

It was then the turn of YAM Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Hj Idris and YAM Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Rahim to usher in the 31-year-old groom. Joining them were other Pengiran-pengiran Cheterias (people of nobility) and State Mufti YB Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abdul Aziz Juned.

Clad in a gold wedding dress with intricate lace details, the 22-year-old bride walked down the aisle carrying a small bouquet of diamond-encrusted flowers. She also wore a tiara as well as an emerald and diamond necklace to complete her ensemble.

Accompanying the bride were group of seven female pahawai carrying royal regalia items including puan (silver vessel to hold flower), tarian (a set of eight silver cases), kabuk and panastan (a set of 16 silver water containers with tray), kiap (a pair of fans embroidered with gilded threads that display Quranic verses, chupu (an ornamental vessel), pasigupan (an instrument used for smoking) and kaskul (gold chest used to store betel nuts).

Also part of the bride’s entourage were 16 Dayang-dayang bearing a set of 16 ceremonial candles and another group of Dayang-dayang carrying kaskul langguai, which is used to store four betel nut silver boxes.

Meanwhile, the groom’s entrance was led by 40 Awang-awang carrying sinipit or spears, followed by Juru Bini and Hulubalang Diraja or warriors who carried pemuras (gun) and karga, which is used to carry the bullets. Hulubalang askar (military nobility) carried kelasak (shield) and kampilan (long blade).

Once the groom was seated on the dais, His Majesty took his hand and placed it on the bride’s head, a symbolic blessing on the official union of the prince and his bride. The moment was also marked with a 17-gun salute, followed by _salawat (invocation to Prophet Muhammad)_, which was read by the State Mufti.

The ceremony also saw the conferment of royal title Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri on the bride, by command of His Majesty.

Following a doa selamat read by the State Mufti, HRH Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel walked towards the dais and escorted the royal couple to leave Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.

Later, the newlyweds and the royal family then met with His Majesty’s VIP guests in a separate room in the palace.

HRH Prince ‘Abdul Malik, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education Studies (English Medium), is the sixth child of Their Majesties.

The bride is the second of 10 children. Her parents are Fire and Rescue Department personnel Pg Hj Bolkiah Pg Hj Jaluddin and religious teacher Pg Hjh Noor’aismah Pg Hj Ismail.

The royal wedding from April 5-15, will conclude with the Majlis Istiadat Membaca Doa Selamat and Majlis Istiadat Menutup Gendang Jaga-Jaga.

The Brunei Times