On 11th October 2025, the sky above the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium lit up with a stunning drone light show and fireworks as field performances entertained an excited and grateful crowd of 21,000 people during the Malam Gemilang UBD Drone Show, co-organised by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and Imagine Sdn Bhd.
Gracing the festive event was His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Chancellor of UBD who was greeted at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium by Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah Haji Mohd Salleh, and UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Haji Kifle.
Accompanying His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince (Dr.) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pro-Chancellor of UBD; His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul Malik ibni Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah; and His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul Mateen ibni Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah.
The event was held with the support of the Prime Minister’s Office; the Ministry of Home Affairs; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications; and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, together with event partners Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN), Baiduri Bank Berhad, Boeffi International (B) Sdn Bhd, D’Sunlit Sdn Bhd, Brunei Press Sdn Bhd, Jerudong Park Country Club, Adinin Works and Engineering Sdn Bhd, Brunei Methanol Company Sdn Bhd, Sistem Integra Sdn Bhd, Takaful Brunei Darussalam Sdn Bhd and Poni Group Sdn Bhd.
The evening was made special with the appearance and performance by Malaysian singer, Anuar Zain who belted out a few signature songs such as “Keabadian Cinta”, “Bila Resah”, and “Lelaki Ini”.
The 15-minute drone performance segment of the event which followed after was operated by trained Bruneian teams from Imagine Sdn Bhd and 40 UBD students. This collaboration demonstrates local capability in advanced drone operations, image synchronisation, and digital display technologies. This initiative highlights UBD’s role in nurturing local expertise and fostering innovation aligned with national development goals.
The drones effortlessly shifted mid-air to form a series of 14 images accompanied by talented musicians and dancers in the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium performing songs which included: “15 Julai Kelahiran Putera”, “Dirgahayu”, “Rahmat”, “Puja Usia”, “Selendang Kipas”, “Cabuk-Cabuk Bingar”, “Seantero Dunia”, and UBD’s official song “Mendepan Bersama”.
Anuar Zain then led a heartfelt birthday song that everyone in the stadium sang along to. This warm gesture of solidarity shown by His Majesty’s beloved subjects kicked off the grand finale, a 12-minute long brilliant and colourful fireworks display.
The excitement and enthusiasm shown by all those involved in the success of the Malam Gemilang UBD Drone Show, in addition to the support from those in the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium and members of the public who chose to view the show from nearby vantage points, were indicative of their love, appreciation and loyalty to His Majesty.
The Malam Gemilang UBD Drone Show was held to celebrate the 79th birthday of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and as part of UBD’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations.