From September 3 to September 13, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah went on an 11-day road trip on the Pan Borneo Highway. The journey began in Tawau, Sabah, and ended in Telok Melano, Sarawak. The purpose of this trip, called Kembara Kenali Borneo tour, was for the King and Queen to establish a closer relationship with the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
The Sarawak leg of the tour began in Lawas on September 7. Despite the rainy weather, a large crowd eagerly awaited the arrival of Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah at the Lawas Waterfront. Similar scenes were witnessed throughout the tour, with thousands of people dressing in traditional attire and lining up along the route to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
Throughout the journey, Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah reciprocated the warm welcome they received by taking the time to greet and interact with the people they encountered. On September 8, they crossed Brunei and arrived in Miri the next day. In Miri, they visited the Miri Handicraft Centre, met the locals at a beachfront venue, and had high tea with community leaders in Kampung Pangkalan Lutong.
On September 10, the royal entourage visited Tanjung Bungai Beach in Bekenu before heading to Bintulu. In Bintulu, Tunku Azizah participated in a cooking demonstration at Rumah Raymond Plen longhouse, while Sultan Abdullah and their three sons enjoyed a fishing trip. The royal couple also visited Kampung Penan Muslim in Bintulu and posed for photos at the Nyabau Interchange, the longest flyover on the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak.
The tour continued to Sibu on the following day, where Sultan Abdullah expressed his appreciation for the warm reception. In Sibu, the royal entourage visited the Sibu Central Market, where they greeted traders during a walkabout. The journey then proceeded to Kuching, where the King and Queen received overwhelming support from the people along the way.
The final leg of the tour brought the royal entourage to KM0 of the Pan Borneo Highway at Telok Melano, marking the completion of a 2,154km journey. This journey left a lasting impression not only on those who had the chance to meet the King and Queen but also on the royal couple themselves. In a statement released by Istana Negara, Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah expressed their joy in fulfilling their dream of getting closer to the people of Sabah and Sarawak. They also expressed their gratitude for the love and support shown by the people throughout the tour.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
