King, Queen in state capital for two-day visit
KUCHING: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al- Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al- Mustafa Billah Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, arrived here yesterday on a two-day official visit to Sarawak.
The special aircraft flying in the royal couple landed at the Kuching International Airport at 11.20am.
Their Majesties were welcomed by Sarawak Yang di- Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jumaa’ni Tuanku Bujang.
Also present to welcome them were Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, state Cabinet ministers, heads of government departments and community leaders.
This is the first visit of Sultan Abdullah to Sarawak after being sworn in as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31.
In the afternoon, the King and Queen visited nearby tourist spots, namely India Street and the Kuching Waterfront.
Then in the evening, Their Majesties attended a banquet with Taib and his wife at a leading hotel here, along with the Chief Minister, state Cabinet ministers and other distinguished guests.
After the banquet, the royal couple witnessed a display of the musical fountain at the Kuching Waterfront.
This morning, His Majesty is scheduled to attend a briefing at the State Islamic Council here before performing Friday prayers at Masjid Darul Hana.
Meanwhile, the Queen will have a separate event at the Old Kuching Courthouse where she will be accompanied by the Chief Minister’s wife to visit the Ranee Brooke Museum, a handicraft exhibition and to witness a traditional food cooking demonstration.
Their Majesties are scheduled to return to Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.