KUCHING: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah thanked the people for their unwavering loyalty and patiently waiting for him and his family during their ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ expedition.
He said along the journey, there were many people eagerly waiting to greet him and his family.
“I would like to thank everyone who has waited for us all the way from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu, then to Brunei before entering Sarawak from Miri and making our way to Kuching.
“There was hardly any time for me to rest or even take a short nap. Even my children couldn’t get a nap because every time we stopped to greet people and continued our journey, just three or four minutes later, there would be another group of people waiting for us. This continued throughout the journey.
“I am truly touched by the warm welcome and only God can repay your kindness,” he said during the closing ceremony of the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ expedition and state banquet at Pullman Hotel here last night.
Al-Sultan Abdullah, who arrived in Kuching around 12.30 am on Sept 13, was happy to have arrived Kuching safely.
“So far, I have driven a total of 2,192 km. Alhamdulillah, my back is still strong, and I spent about 85 hours behind the wheel except for about an hour where I let my son take over and he was the ‘note taker’ today,” he said.
The royal entourage’s journey from Sibu to Kuching by car took nearly 16 hours, which the King did not expect.
“I did not anticipate such a delay, expecting it to be only an hour or two late, but it turned out to be more than four to five hours’ late.
“I wish to inform you that the delay was not intentional. It was because of the overwhelming reception and warmth shown by the people, it was beyond expectations.
“I was also informed by the acting Tuan Yang Terutama (Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar) that this was unprecedented and had never happened before in Sarawak, where every single one along the highway were all waiting for me and my entourage.
“This is historical, and of course, it will be a sweet memory for me and my family forever,” he said.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also said that over the past five years, he and his wife, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, had the opportunity to visit Sabah and Sarawak.
“Every time I visit Sarawak, I receive an overwhelming welcome, the same reception is given to me when I go to Sabah.
“This trip to Borneo is my last visit as the Agong. Therefore, on this meaningful night, I would like to say goodbye and thank all the people of Sarawak and Sabah for all the wonderful memories,” he said.
