King hails willingness of people to wait and greet royal convoy
The reception of the people of Sabah and Sarawak during the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour has been described as overwhelming by Yang di-Pertuan Agong AlSultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
In His Majesty’s speech during a dinner gathering with the community at the Dewan Malay Union Club (MUC) Kampung Nyabor at Kampung Bandong here Monday, Al-Sultan Abdullah said the royal family was touched by the willingness of the people to wait to greet the royal convoy.
“From Tawau to Sibu, I have driven about 1,700 kilometres. I would like to congratulate my wife for being a caring co-pilot – she wrote in her notes of what is good, what is not, as well as the peoples’ complaints,” said His Majesty.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also lamented that he was unable to shake the hands of all those waiting to catch a glimpse of the royal entourage.
“I could only wave at them and I do hope it will remain in their hearts.”
At the gathering, the King and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah performed a song titled ‘Pesanan Buat Kekasih’ by Spring.
The royal couple’s arrival at Dewan MUC at 9.30pm was met by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki as well as state ministers and deputy ministers.
Earlier, no fewer than 3,000 members of the public gathered at the hall to see Their Majesties in person. People were also seen queueing up along the roadside to welcome them to Sibu.
Also participating in the convoy in Sarawak are Their Majesties’ sons, namely the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, Tengku Panglima Raja Colonel Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah and Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu’adzam Shah.