By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 13: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and his family have driven 2,192km from Tawau, Sabah to Kuching of Sarawak in the inaugural trip of ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ royal tour.
“Alhamdulillah, my waist is still strong and it was nearly 85 hours that I was behind the wheel.
“I drove on my own except for about an hour that I let my son took over because he was bored sitting behind. He was the ‘note taker’ today,” he said when speaking at a state banquet held at Pullman Hotel here last night (Sept 12).
The King explained that his late arrival to Kuching was unintentional as the welcoming reception by members of the public were unexpectedly warm.
“I was informed by the acting Tuan Yang Terutama (Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar) that such reception is unprecedented – it has never happened before here in Sarawak where every ‘rakyat’ (people) along the highway were waiting for me and the royal entourage.
“This will be a great memory for my family and I forever,” he stated.
The King also extended his thanks to every single person who had loyally waited for him throughout his trip beginning in Tawau, Sabah up to Kuching.
“There was no time for me to rest at all – not even a nap for my children, because every time I stop to greet the people and then get back on the road, three or four more minutes later, there will be another flood of people. This continues throughout the tour.
“I am very touched by the wonderful reception and only God can repay your kindness,” he added.
Amongst those present at the banquet were Asfia 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 Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and wife Datin Dayang Siti Nur Hayyati Ag Mohd Saufi. – DayakDaily
