Once in a lifetime

Original post

Once-in-a-lifetime experience for Bruneians in Oman

By Liza Mohd in Muscat, Oman

A Bruneian girls greets His Majesty

His Majesty being greeted by a Bruneian family.

Dyg Norhasnida (R) and her Omani husband greet the ruler.

His Majesty in a group photo with the Bruneian expats and families in Oman

A Bruneian family in a group photo with the senior goverment officials
Photos: Liza Mohd

More than 80 Bruneians and family members residing in the capital city of Oman were given the opportunity to greet His Majesty during the ruler's two-day State Visit to the sultanate.

At least 28 families based in Muscat and Sur - three hours' drive to Muscat - were given access inside the Al-Alam Palace for the first time to greet the monarch.
Despite His Majesty's hectic schedule, the 'junjung ziarah' from the Bruneians was slotted into His Majesty's programme and the Bruneians received the news with anticipation.

"There was unconfirmed information earlier that His Majesty would be stopping by Oman as part of his working visit to the Gulf states. We later come to know after watching the television news of His Majesty's State Visit to Kuwait," said Haji Zulane bin Haji Othman, the Senior Well Engineer working at Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO).

On Wednesday, when news of His Majesty's arrival surfaced, nearly 20 Bruneians gathered at Kalbooh Park in Mattrah and waved the national flag to catch a glimpse of His Majesty heading to the Al-Alam Palace.

For security reasons, the streets leading to the palace in the old town of Muscat were closed to traffic and some of the Bruneians did not make it to the gathering.
"We lined up along the date trees of Muscat and waved the Bruneian flag to catch His Majesty's attention when the motorcade passed through the road. We were excited to see His Majesty waving back," said Hajah Florinda binte Haji Mejenis, whose husband is also working at PDO.

It was only Thursday morning that a Bruneian Embassy representative notified the Bruneian families about the 'junjung ziarah' with His Majesty at the palace.
"It was overwhelming to be given access to enter the Al-Alam Palace. I have been staying in Muscat for over six years and the only part of the palace we were able to see was the entrance. We were happy to be able to pass beyond the palace gates for the first time," said Hjh Faridah binte Hj Johari.

Bruneians gathered at the Brunei Embassy in Shatti, Qurrum as early as 4pm local time (8pm Brunei time), and three government buses transported the group, accompanied by Bruneian and Omani government officials to the palace.
At the palace, they were subjected to security inspection and then led to the waiting lounge.

After an hour, the Bruneians were ushered to a palace hall where they lined up for the ruler's arrival.

Soon afterwards, His Majesty arrived, shook hands and queried about their stay in the country.

Most of the Bruneians are working at PDO and Oman LNG.

Some of them are also BSP/BLNG employees who are on cross-posting assignments.

"We are truly grateful to His Majesty for taking the time to mingle and ask about our welfare here. This shows the monarch's concern for his subjects outside of Brunei. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us and we hope His Majesty will drop by again in the future," said Awg Hairol Nizam bin Mokti, the Senior Drilling Engineer in PDO who has been in Muscat for over six years.

His Majesty had taken the time yesterday to receive the Bruneians, prior to a private dinner with Sultan Qaboos Thursday evening.

His Majesty left the Sultanate of Oman Thursday at about 12 midnight (4am Brunei time), marking the end of his State Visit to the Gulf state.