HIS Majesty the sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam has outlined the pre-eminence of sovereignty in a Titah to mark the opening of a special seminar at the International Conference Centre.

Appropriately, the theme of the conference – and an exhibition that will continue until the end of the month – is “Raja Berdaulat, Negara Berkat, Rakyat Selamat,” or “Sovereignty Monarch, Blessed Country and People Moving In The Right Direction.”

Dignitaries listened intently yesterday as His Majesty explained that of all individual allegiances, sovereignty is paramount.

It should be nurtured generation by generation. Sovereignty, said His Majesty, is the highest power bestowed by Allah, the Almighty.

It manifests itself in true and valid leadership with the rakyat (citizens) and the nation sheltering under it, His Majesty added. Continuing the Knowledge Ceremony, His Majesty said that a sovereign ruler also defined a sovereign race and a sovereign nation.

He likened the effect to the sparkling of a diamond, citing the sage saying, “wherever it is from, it is still a diamond, and wherever it is placed, it will glitter.”

The three essentials – sovereign, race and nation – were combined in a single element, which could not have a component that was defective, no matter how small.

His Majesty recalled the saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad who said if a component of the body was hurt, the whole body would be hurt as well. For that reason,

His Majesty advocated that Brunei’s citizens should continue to uphold the sovereignty of the ruler and the nation. In the same way that an individual cared for their body so that not a single part of it would be hurt, so the sanctity of the whole was upheld.

This was a divine mandate from Allah the Almighty, and for that reason too we should maintain, nurture and safeguard it.

“How should we do that?” His Majesty asked.

By obeying the one who had given us the mandate, Allah the Almighty.

By the will of God, we shall be safe and will continue to progress and earn the respect of the world.

The Knowledge Convention features two main activities, the seminar on upholding the sovereignty of the monarch and the convention exhibition.

It is intended to be a platform for intellectuals, policy-makers, community leaders, manufacturers, sellers, buyers, teachers, students and members of the public in pursuit of their respective interests in the field of knowledge, experience skills and merchandising.

Pavilions and exhibits encapsulate His Majesty’s sovereign rule in various ways.

They present decorations and medals along with celebrated objects and handicrafts from the Brunei Arts and Handicrafts Training Centre.

Walking sticks and kris daggers are on display, along with honorary degree certificates. As well as intensifying undivined loyalty for His Majesty, the exhibits deepen the ties between the ruler and his subjects.

In other areas at the exhibition, displays from neighbouring countries feature presentations of the contributions of other rulers in providing for the welfare of their people. An artifacts gallery also has items connected to sovereignty in the Malay world.

Later, His Majesty also launched a book at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Islamic Exhibition Gallery entitled Revitalising Islamic Civilisation.

His Majesty endorsed the book and suggested that it was an ideal gifts for libraries, educational institutions and research centres.

The exhibition was organized by the Memorial Gallery of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien.

The Knowledge Convention exhibition is open to the public until July 30 from 9am to 6pm, except Fridays, 2pm to 9pm. (Courtesy of The Brunei Times)