Hari Kebangsaan (National Day)
National Day 2023
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 2024 (2024-02)
Frequency	Annual
First time	1985; 39 years ago (1985)

Part of a series on the
History of Brunei
Pre-Sultanate
Old Brunei 1368 to 1888
House of Bolkiah (15th century – present)
Sultanate of Sulu 1405 to 1578 Rajahnate of Maynila 1500s to 1571 Tondo 1500s to 1571 Castilian War 1578 Civil War 1660–1673 Sarawak 15th century to 1841 Labuan 15th century to 1846 Sabah (North Borneo) 15th century to 1865 British protected state 1888–1984 Japanese occupation 1942–1945 Borneo campaign 1945 British Military Administration 1945–1946 Revolt 1962
Timeline Sultans
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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.^[1] 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.^[2]

History

Background

In 1888, Brunei signed a deal with the British to come under their protection in order to ensure its own political survival.^[3] 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.^[4][3]

1 January 1984

At 00:01 midnight of 1 January 1984, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah read the Declaration of Independence:^[5]

The time has now arrived when Brunei Darussalam will resume full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent nation in the community of nations.

— 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 (present day Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien). A 21-gun salute was fired to celebrate the event, and the sounds of the hadrah resounded around the field.^[3] 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.^[4][6] The Acting Chief Minister (Menteri Besar), Abdul Aziz, presided over the preparations.^[7]

Attendance

Several key figures of the Commonwealth and countries' representatives attended the celebration, such as:^[4]

• 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;^[1]