KUCHING: Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has called for the strengthening of bonds between the Peninsula and Borneo.
The King said there shouldn’t be any barrier between these regions to unite as Malaysians.
“I would like to take this opportunity to build a new bridge of friendship.
“My presence, together with that of my family and my entourage, is as if representing part of the people from the Peninsula.
“In the Peninsula, I represent the Malay Rulers, and extend my arms to all, as we are one Malaysian family in our beloved country.
“So, let there be no barrier but instead foster closer ties between the Peninsula and Borneo,” he said during the closing ceremony of the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ expedition and state banquet at Pullman Hotel here last night.
Al-Sultan Abdullah noted that since Malaysia Day which falls on Sept 16 is drawing near, it is timely to elevate the spirits of the people in Sarawak and Sabah.
“Congratulations to all the people of Sarawak because the state has been chosen as the host of this year’s national-level Malaysia Day celebration.
“September 16, 2023 will mark the 60th anniversary of the state of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia. This is a long and quite historic milestone,” he said.
On another note, Al-Sultan Abdullah also shared his first-hand experience of witnessing harmony among the people in a longhouse during the expedition.
“It was my first time visiting Rh Raymond Plen, Sungai Gelam, Sebauh in Bintulu. It was really long, it had 53 doors, and the residents there were like one big family.
“The longhouse is very unique, and I was informed that the spirit of family values is so strong in the longhouse.
“And I salute and respect this concept and feel that this needs to be continued. We should learn from this and there is also ‘Segulai Sejalai’ spirit in the longhouse of which it should serve as an example for other communities in the country,” he said.
Most importantly, he said, the people regardless of race, religion, customs and beliefs can form a spirit of harmony and unity.
“To achieve this goal, we must be ready to set aside differences, be tolerant, and respect one another,” he said.
