By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 13: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah hopes to bridge Peninsular Malaysia with Sabah and Sarawak, calling for ‘no barrier’ among the three parties that made up Malaysia.
He said with the upcoming Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16, he hoped that his presence in Sabah and Sarawak through ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ tour would uplift the people’s spirit for the celebration.
“I also wish to build this ‘jambatan silaturahim’ (relationship bridge). My presence together with my family and entourage represent the people in Peninsular.
“In Peninsular, I represent the Malay Rulers, who wish to offer my hand to all of us as a family in beloved Malaysia.
“Among us, let us not have a barrier – the only barrier that exists is in the Great Wall of China. This is important because as a country, we (Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak) need each other,” he said when speaking at a state banquet held at Pullman Hotel here last night (Sept 12).
The King also congratulated Sarawak for being chosen as the host for the national-level Malaysia Day celebration this year.
The King was in Kuching for the 11th day of ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ tour which saw him driving from Tawau, Sabah on Sept 3 and will end his journey in Telok Melano, Sarawak today (Sept 13).
At the same time, he thanked Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and family for their good gesture in hosting the royal entourage during their stop in Brunei.
He also prayed for the wellbeing and health of Sarawak’s Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud who is currently taking a break from the office.
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
