This Content Is Only For Subscribers
By Shikin Louis
SIBU, Sept 11: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has driven about 1,700km from Tawau, Sabah, to Sibu, Sarawak so far in conjunction with ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ royal tour.
“I drove (the car) myself. No driver.
“We only had a driver to drive for us about ten minutes because I was dizzy,” he said during a dinner held at Dewan Kelab Melayu Kampung Nyabor (MUC) here earlier tonight.
The King further said that he felt sincerely touched by the wonderful reception of the people of Borneo, who were willing to wait for the royal family throughout the journey from Tawau to Sibu.
He also congratulated his wife for being a caring ‘co-pilot’.
“She jots down everything—the beautiful things, the less beautiful things, and the complaints.
“I will not reveal what she had written down just yet—let us wait until tomorrow night, and then I will reveal it,” he added.
The King also noted that he wasn’t able to greet and shake hands with many people upon his arrival to Kampung Nyabor.
“I only managed to wave (hands). I hope the hand waving will continue to remain in our memories,” he said.
At the event, the King and Queen took the stage to serenade Sibu folk with two songs, namely ‘Pesanan Buat Kekasih’ by Spring band and Malay classic ‘Gurindam Jiwa’.
The event also saw a surprise birthday cake-cutting ceremony in conjunction with the birthday celebration of the royal couple’s children, Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu’adzam Shah (Sept 11) and Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah (Sept 17).
Earlier, the royal entourage arrived at the MUC Hall around 9.30pm from Bintulu.
Their arrival was welcomed by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof; Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing; Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang; Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; and Sarawak’s Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
During the dinner, the guests were also entertained by various music performances, especially by Sarawakian violinist Imran Azim Iskandar, who recently won the World Championship of Performing Arts award in the classical category in the United States. — DayakDaily
