KOTA KINABALU: Karamunting assemblyman George Hiew Vun Zin believes that ministers should follow the example set by the King and Queen of Malaysia by visiting Sabah and experiencing the state firsthand. He praised Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for personally driving around the state, which demonstrates a genuine desire to understand the real situation on the ground. Hiew expressed the hope that federal ministers would learn from this and witness the inadequate basic infrastructure that still persists in Sabah.
The royal couple embarked on a tour of Borneo, starting in Tawau and traveling to Lahad Datu, Sandakan, and other districts. Hiew was able to meet the King and Queen during a closed event in Sandakan. He observed that many Sabahans, including those in Sandakan, waited for hours just to catch a glimpse of Their Majesties. They also took the opportunity to voice their concerns about poor road conditions to the King. While some roads were repaired in preparation for the royal visit, there are still many stretches that urgently require improvement.
Hiew emphasized that the quality of infrastructure, such as roads, water supply, and electricity, is crucial for development and has a significant impact on investments and tourism in Sabah. On behalf of the people of Sandakan, he thanked the royal couple for their efforts to understand the issues faced by the people and for engaging with the locals along their journey. Hiew expressed his hope that the King’s visit would bring about improvements in the state’s infrastructure.
Throughout the road tour, many people took to social media to share their encounters with the royal entourage. Some shared selfies with the King, while videos surfaced of the Queen participating in the traditional Sumazau dance and buying local produce from “tamu” markets. Despite instances where incorrect greetings were given and people unfamiliar with protocol behaved informally, the royal entourage remained gracious throughout.
The Kembara Kenali Borneo tour undertaken by Their Majesties, lasting from Sept 3 to 13, began in Tawau, Sabah, and will conclude in Telok Melano, Sarawak. The tour spans a distance of 2,154km via the Pan Borneo Highway, which connects Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei. It offers an opportunity for the people of both states to meet the royal couple and their entourage.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
