SIMANGGANG: A scheduled stopover by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Maimunah Iskandariah had to be cancelled owing to time constraints.
The cancellation which was only relayed to a waiting public at about 3.20pm left many disappointed as it would have been the first visit to Sri Aman by the royal couple.
But as things turned out the King and Queen together with their entourage pressed on to Kuching where their Kembara Kenali Borneo tour is due to culminate with a visit to Telok Melano on Wednesday (Sept 13).
Locals who had been waiting for the arrival of His Majesty and entourage since 8am, however, understood the tight schedule of the convoy since their departure from Sibu.
They were initially scheduled to make a stop at the Bandar Sri Aman Mosque at 12.50pm before heading to Fort Alice and thereafter proceeding to Kuching.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas was also present in Sri Aman.
Majlis Seni Sarawak officer Abang Shahfian Abang Ibrahim expressed deep disappointment over not being able to meet the Agong.
“However, we accept it. It wasn’t meant to be. God willing, in the future, there will be another opportunity for them to visit us again,” he told Suara Sarawak on Tuesday (Sept 12).
He explained that his group had practised for a week to welcome the royal family.
Kampung Muhibah southern zone chief Saimi Bakir also expressed similar sentiments, saying: “As they say in Sarawak, we yearn to meet Sultan Abdullah, Tunku Azizah, and their children. But alas, we can only plan and pray for the safe journey of the royal expedition to Kuching.”
Meanwhile, Temenggung Bahagian Sri Aman Mohamad Shah was proud that the people had patiently waited until the end.
“This is the spirit of the people of Sri Aman. They have been on the roadside since 8 in the morning. It’s just that it wasn’t meant for us to meet their Royal Highnesses.
“I hope the people of Sri Aman will always stay positive. Don’t think that Sultan Abdullah intentionally avoided stopping here; that’s not the case. I believe both of them genuinely wanted to stop here, but it’s due to time constraints,” he added.
