National Day (Brunei)

National Day (Malay: Hari Kebangsaan; Jawi: کبڠساءن‎ هاري) or Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan) is a national holiday in Brunei commemorating the anniversary of Brunei's proclamation of independence. It was made a national holiday by government decree in 1985. Although Brunei broke away from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, it wasn't until February that Brunei was totally free of British control.

Hari Kebangsaan (National Day)
National Day 2024
Official name	Hari Kebangsaan
Also called	Hari Kemerdekaan
Observed by	Bruneians
Type	National
Significance	Marks the independence of Brunei
Date	23 February
Next time	23 February 2025 (2025-02-23)
Frequency	Annual
First time	1985 (1985)

History

Background

Main article: History of Brunei

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

At 00:01 midnight of 1 January 1984, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah read the Declaration of Independence:

Whereas, the time has now arrived when Brunei Darussalam will resume full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent nation in the community of nations.
And whereas, via the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the United Kingdom..... Brunei Darussalam's restoration of full independence and the return of full responsibility for defense and foreign affairs to the person of the Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei from HM the Queen has been set to happen on the first day of January of 1984, as agreed upon and under the provisions of said Treaty.

— Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 1 January 1984

Upon the reading of the proclamation, 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, 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 praying for a smooth handover outside the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the field despite the heavy rain. 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
• 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)	Theme	Translation
1985	Bersatu Padu Menghayati Konsep Negara Melayu Islam Beraja	United to Appreciate the Concept of Malay Islamic State
1986	Membangun Negara Tanggungjawab Bersama	Building a Country of Mutual Responsibility
1987	Bersatu Ke arah Keamaan dan Kemajuan	United Towards Prosperity and Progress
1988	Berdisiplin Cergas Berbudaya Negara Bahagia	Disciplined Healthy Cultured Happy Country
1989	Berdikari Meningkatkan Kemakmuran Negara	Self-reliance Increases National Prosperity
1990	Perhubungan Berkesan Mengeratkan Perpaduan	Relationships Effectively Strengthen Unity
1991	Bersatu Padu Mengekalkan Ketahanan Nasional	United Maintains National Resilience
1992	Menanai Kedaulatan Tanahairku	Surviving the Sovereignty of My Homeland
1993	Meneguhkan Kesejahteraan Tanahairku	Strengthening the Well-being of My Homeland
1994	Bangsa Cemerlang Tanahair Gemilang	Outstanding Nation of the Homeland
1995	Brunei Darussalam Tanahairku	Brunei Darussalam My Homeland
1996	Pembangunan Masyarakat Matlamat Negara	Community Development National Goals
1997	Kemajuan Ekonomi Teras Kesejahteraan	Core Economic Progress of Wellbeing
1998	Membina Insan Yang Sempurna Dengan Pendidikan Bersepadu	Building the Perfect Human With Integrated Education
1999	Siap Siaga Ke Alaf Baru	Ready For The New Millennium
2000	Mengukuhkan Jati Diri Bangsa Di Alaf Baru	Strengthening the Nation's Self-Reliance In The New Millennium
2001	Maju Bangsaku Sejahtera Negaraku	Forward My Nation of My Country
2002	Memperkasa Keupayaan Bangsa	Empowering the Nation's Capabilities
2003	Bangsa Berilmu Negara Maju	Knowledgeable Nation of the Developed Country
2004	Patriotisme Teras Keteguhan Negara	Patriotism at the Core of National Strength
2005	Bersepadu Memperkasa Mandiri Bangsa	Integrated Empowering the Nation
2006	Mempertingkatkan Daya Saing Bangsa	Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Nation
2007	Iltizam Memperkasa Keupayaan Bangsa	Iltizam Empowering the Nation's Capabilities
2008	Tunas Bangsa	Budding Nation
2009	Kedewasaan Bernegara	Country Adulthood
2010–2013	Negaraku Brunei Darussalam	My Country Brunei Darussalam
2014–2016	Generasi Berwawasan	Visionary Generation
2017–2023	Menjayakan Wawasan Negara	Successing The National Vision
2024	Bersatu Mencapai Cita Negara	United to Achieve the National Dream