By Za'im Zaini & Huraizah Ahmad

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud. Also present was YAM Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana Pengiran Haji Alauddin, the Grand Chamberlain. Dato Paduka Hj Jemat bin Hj Ampal was the secretary of the executive committee meeting.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in his welcoming remarks said, "I have presented the results of our first executive committee meeting to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty has no objections to the suggestions on the theme, logo and format of the celebration.

"This morning, members of the committee will be briefed on the concept and format of the field performance. After that, we will hear a brief report on the progress achieved by working committees and discuss matters or problems and the ways to handle them to ensure a smooth celebration of the National Day."

The meeting was also held to analyse and verify the minutes of the first meeting, discuss matters raised in the first meeting, and hearing a briefing on the mass maghrib prayers, yassin recital and thanksgiving prayers.

Also discussed were the proposed change in the venue for the mass maghrib prayers from Sultan Omar Ali Saiffudien mosque to Jame Asr mosque, as well as progress reports on the celebration and the field performance from the secretary of the executive committee meeting.

During the meeting, several matters were raised which included last year's problems in transportation such as parking fee problems.

Enquiries were also made on the attire for the celebration and the props which the committee needs to obtain.

The secretary of the executive committee said an estimated 7,700 people will take part in the field performances. The participants will comprise school students as well as private sector and government personnel.

This year's National Day theme is "Tunas Bangsa".

Tunas means loyalty to the nation. The theme symbolises loyalty to the nation based on two foundations which are "Tanah Yang Subur" symbolising "Independence, Democratic and Sovereign" according to the teachings of Islam according to Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah and "Benih Yang Baik" symbolising a nation of Malay Muslim Monarchy.