KUCHING, April 26: The India Street Pedestrian Mall experienced a milestone when for the first time ever the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah paid it a visit yesterday afternoon.
The mall was beautifully decorated, complete with the Jalur Gemilang, state flags, and replicas of ketupat and bunga ranyai to welcome them.
Both business operators and customers of the mall were clearly excited with the royal presence at about 4.30 pm.
The royal couple spent more than an hour at the mall, walking along the covered pavement and looking at the various types of merchandise ranging from food, handicrafts, clothing materials, kitchen utensils, hardware, and books to many others.
Their Majesties also made brief stops at a shop selling bakery ingredients, a fabric shop and a retail shop, among others.
The King and Queen were also presented with gifts in the form of layer cakes, fabric from Dato Wee Hong Seng, who is also India Street Pedestrian Mall Committee chairman, and mugs featuring painted murals in this old part of Kuching town.
The royal couple was accompanied by DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nasar and his wife, Datin Fatimah Iskandar, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his wife, Datin Zuraina Abu Jabar, and other dignitaries, including State Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Federal Secretary Datuk Mansor Man.
Their Majesties’ planned visit to the Kuching Waterfront was postponed due to heavy rain.
The royal couple is in town for a two-day working visit, which ends today. — DayakDaily
