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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 13: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah visited a longhouse for the first time yesterday, and expressed his respect for the concept of living under one roof.
Speaking during a State banquet held at Pullman Hotel here last night (Sept 12), he shared his first experience on setting foot in a longhouse at Rh Raymond Plen, Sungai Gelam, Sebauh in Bintulu recently.
“That was my first visit to a longhouse. It was really long – 53 doors. The residents were like one big family.
“I was invited to go fishing with them but I was not able to catch a single fish. When I went up the longhouse and I looked at the rear, it was very long. No wonder it is called a longhouse.
“The longhouse is very unique. I was made to understand that the spirit of family values in the longhouse is very good and I salute that. I respect this concept which I believe should be continued,” he said.
The King also noted that the ‘Segulai Sejalai’ spirit in longhouses should be emulated by other communities across the country.
On Sept 11, the King and his entourage visited Rh Raymond Plen as one of the stops for ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ tour which commenced from Sept 3.
The tour had saw the King personally driven from Tawau, Sabah to Kuching and he will continue his journey to Telok Melano as his last stop, ending the tour today.
Amongst those present at the banquet were acting Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and wife Puan Sri Datin Amar Fatimah Mohamad Iskandar; Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Fadillah Yusof and wife Datin Seri Ruziah Mohd Tahir; Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Puan Sri Fauziah Mohd Sanusi; Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian; and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and wife Datin Dayang Siti Nur Hayyati Ag Mohd Saufi. — DayakDaily
