SIBU: The people of Sarawak and Sabah have left an indelible impression on Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah who described them as extraordinary for waiting and greeting the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour convoy led by him.
The King said that throughout the 1,700-km journey that began in Tawau on Sept 3 till his arrival in Sibu, people were willing to turn out in droves to greet the convoy.
“I am speechless as the people have proven to be such great people, and are willing to wait to greet the Queen and I, together with our family.
“I am not a politician, I am Pak Cik Agong … The Queen is a good co-pilot, she is very caring, she has taken down notes, all the good and bad things.
“I will not reveal what she has written, let us finish (Kembara Kenali Borneo) first, tomorrow night I will reveal it,” he said at a dinner themed ‘Santapan Bersama Komuniti’ at the MUC Hall in Kampung Bandong here last night (Sept 11).
His Majesty thanked the people of Bintulu and Sibu for their warm reception.
“I thank the people of Bintulu and Sibu for giving us a rousing welcome. I am very touched, this is a manifestation of the people of Borneo’s enthusiasm who are prepared to wait for my family and I,” he said.
His Majesty said he was still in an upbeat mood despite having driven a distance of 1,700km from Tawau to Sibu.
“Overall, I want to thank the people for welcoming us at tonight’s dinner in Kampung Nyabor here. I saw many people lining up to greet us. It will be forever etch in our hearts,” he said.
Some 5,000 people gathered at the hall to welcome Their Majesties.
At the dinner, Al-Sultan Abdullah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah gave their rendition of songs, ‘Pesanan Buat Kekasih’ and ‘Gurindam Jiwa’, which were among the highlights of the evening.
Among those present were Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee.
Their Majesties will have a light breakfast today at the Sibu Central Market – the largest wet market in the country – before heading to Sri Aman and later Kuching.
Accompanying them on the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour in Sarawak are their sons – the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, Tengku Panglima Raja Colonel Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah and Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu’adzam Shah.
The tour, from Sept 3 to 13, started from Tawau in Sabah and will end in Telok Melano in the southern part of Sarawak, involving a journey of 2,154 km along the Pan Borneo Highway that connects Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.
