| Hari Kebangsaan Negara Brunei Darussalam (National Day) | |
|---|---|
 National Day 2024 | |
| Official name | Hari Kebangsaan |
| Also called | Hari Kemerdekaan Negara Brunei Darussalam |
| Observed by | Bruneians |
| Type | National |
| Significance | Marks the independence ofBrunei |
| Date | 23 February |
| Next time | 23 February 2026 (2026-02-23) |
| Duration | A day |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1985; 41 years ago (1985) |
| This article is part of a series on the |
| History of Brunei |
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See also |
National Day (Malay:Hari Kebangsaan;Jawi: کبڠساءن هاري) orIndependence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan) is thenational day ofBrunei, commemorating the anniversary ofBrunei's proclamation of independence. It was made anational holiday by government decree in 1985.[1] Although Brunei formally proclaimed independence from theUnited Kingdom on 1 January 1984, it did not celebrate its national day until 23 February.[2]
In 1888, Brunei signed a deal with theBritish to come under their protection in order to ensure its own political survival.[3] Aspiracy andrebellion threatened the internal order of the kingdom andSarawak'sWhite 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. TheBritish residency was established in 1906, and Brunei remained under their rule for an additional 53 years. TheConstitution Agreement, which abolished the residence requirement and established internal self-government while leaving Britain in charge ofdefense andforeign policy, was signed with theUnited 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.[4][3]
Before midnight fell on 1 January 1984,Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah read theDeclaration of Independence:[5]
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, as midnight fell,Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the father of His Majesty, led three cries of "Allahu Akbar" among the 30,000 people gathered at thePadang Besar (present dayTaman Haji Sir Muda Omar 'Ali Saifuddien). After the national anthemAllah Peliharakan Sultan was played, a21-gun salute was fired to celebrate the event, and the sounds of thehadrah resounded around the field.[3] That evening, the capitalBandar Seri Begawan was packed to the gills with people from all over the country praying for a smooth handover outside theSultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the field despite the heavy rainfall.[4][6]
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.[4][6] TheActing Chief Minister (Menteri Besar),Abdul Aziz, presided over the preparations.[7]
Several key figures of theCommonwealth and countries' representatives attended the celebration, such as:[4]
There have been multiple themes used for the celebration of national day such as;[1]
| 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 Culture, 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 in Keeping the 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, Glorious Fatherland |
| 1995 | Brunei Darussalam Tanahairku | Brunei Darussalam, My Homeland |
| 1996 | Pembangunan Masyarakat Matlamat Negara | Community Development, the 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, Prosperous is My Country |
| 2002 | Memperkasa Keupayaan Bangsa | Empowering the Nation's Capabilities |
| 2003 | Bangsa Berilmu Negara Maju | Knowledgeable Nation, 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 | Commitment to Empowering the Nation's Capabilities |
| 2008 | Tunas Bangsa | Budding Nation |
| 2009 | Kedewasaan Bernegara | Adulthood of the Nation |
| 2010–2013 | Negaraku Brunei Darussalam | My Country Brunei Darussalam |
| 2014–2016 | Generasi Berwawasan | Visionary Generation |
| 2017–2023 | Menjayakan Wawasan Negara | Successing The National Vision[8] |
| 2024–2026 | Bersatu Mencapai Cita Negara[9][10] | United to Achieve the National Aspiration |
