YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah were touched by the rakyat’s enthusiasm at the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour yesterday afternoon, according to Istana Negara.

Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Mej Jen Datuk Zahari Mohd Ariffin said Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah expressed their appreciation to the thousands of people who turned up to greet them during the tour.

He said Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah were moved by the warm reception, as people lined the streets as early as 12 noon along the 34-kilometre route from Tawau Airport to the hotel where Their Majesties were staying.

“Although the Yang di-Pertuan Agong himself was driving the car, accompanied by the Raja Permaisuri Agong, the journey to the hotel took almost six hours. Their Majesties were glad that they could mingle with the rakyat throughout the journey, which should have taken just about 30 minutes.

“The King and Queen were deeply touched by the spirit shown by the people on the first day of their trip to Sabah to realise His Majesty’s dream to traverse Sabah and Sarawak, starting today in Tawau and ending in Teluk Melano, Kuching, Sarawak on Sept 13, 2023,” he said in a statement today.

Members of Selawat groups and kompang associations as well as trainee nurses from the Ministry of Health’s nursing college and school students gave Their Majesties’ convoy a resounding farewell as the crowds proudly waved the Jalur Gemilang and the Sabah flags.

The rakyat’s enthusiasm at the Kembara Kenali Borneo was clearly evident when thousands of school students, teachers and local residents were seen standing by the roadside as the convoy headed for Lahad Datu, about 171.1 km from Tawau.

Earlier, Sabah Mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar led the recitation of prayers for the safety and well-being of Their Majesties and the convoy participants.

Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah also posed for a commemorative photo at the 0 km Roundabout, a significant landmark representing the original point of establishment of the public administrative centre in Tawau Town that serves as a distance marker to other destinations in the town.

Also present at the convoy flagging off ceremony were Yang Dipertua Negeri’s wife Toh Puan Norlidah Tan Sri R.M Jasni, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Chief Minister  Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sabah State Assembly speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya and state cabinet ministers.

Kembara Kenali Borneo, which will end in Telok Melano, Sarawak on Sept 13 across the Pan Borneo Highway that connects Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, provides a golden opportunity for the people of both states to meet the royal couple and their entourage. 

The convoy will first stop at Menara Kayangan, an observation tower built on Mount Silam, 884 metres above sea level, about 11 km from Lahad Datu town.

Prior to touring Menara Kayangan, Their Majesties will be given a briefing by the Sabah Forestry Department about the tower and its surrounding nature.

Located in the Sapagaya Forest Reserve, the 30-metre-tall Menara Kayangan, also known as the ‘Tower of Heaven’ by locals and foreign tourists, was opened to the public in April 2012.

In addition to enjoying the beauty of Mount Silam’s flora and fauna, the tower also gives visitors a perfect scenic bird’s eye view of Teluk Darvel and a breathtakingly beautiful panorama of a lush forest.

Zahari said Al-Sultan Abdullah also advised the people in every stopover to focus on personal safety, especially when standing on the shoulder of the road and obey the instructions of the local authorities.

His Majesty expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as well as the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak for the realisation of the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour.

“His Majesty also expressed his gratitude to Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Fadillah, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sabah State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya for the celebration in Tawau, including the organisation of the launching ceremony and dinner with the people yesterday,” he said.

Their Majesties also asked the people to pray that the tour would run smoothly and successfully.

He added that His Majesty wanted the spirit of unity that was evident at the recent National Day 2023 celebration be shown by the people of Sabah and Sarawak at the Malaysia Day 2023 celebration on Sept 16. — BERNAMA