MIRI: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has called on the people to live in harmony and remain united.
“Do live in harmony and peace, and support the government on this, so that it will be easy to chart development and progress.
“I don’t want to talk about politics. I just want to talk about love. I am the King for Sabahans, Sarawakians and all. We all need to remain united,” said His Majesty, Bernama reported.
Sultan Abdullah said this before departing the “Pesta Keramaian Bersama Rakyat” at Bungai Beach, Bekenu, in conjunction with the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour.
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah also attended the gathering, which entered its eighth day, yesterday.
Also present were Their Majesties’ sons, the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Tengku Panglima Raja Kol Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah and Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu’adzam Shah.
Sultan Abdullah also expressed his gratitude to the people of Miri for the warm reception to welcome the arrival of the royal entourage in conjunction with the Kembara Kenali Borneo tour.
“Today is a great day for our family. It will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives, Insya-Allah. I also want to apologise if I can’t shake hands with everyone but a wave is enough.
“Please don’t fight each other just to greet us. Raise your hand as a sign of greeting; when we greet like this, it will reach the heart. The King loves all of you!” Sultan Abdullah said.
At the event, the lively banter between Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah while playing traditional games of batu seremban and congkak warmed the hearts of the audience.
Their Majesties spent about 15 minutes playing the game with the locals who were excited to get up close and personal with the royal couple.
Mary Seman, 50, from Kampung Tanau, expressed her excitement and happiness after having the opportunity to play batu seremban with Sultan Abdullah.
Meanwhile, Hasyila Busri, 36, expressed her joy when the Queen agreed to spend time playing congkak with her.
“Her Majesty is very friendly, kind-hearted and gets along well with the people. So, we feel really happy with the presence of Their Majesties here,” she said.
The Kembara Kenali Borneo tour, from Sept 3 to 13, starting in Tawau, Sabah, and ending in Telok Melano, Sarawak, involves a distance of 2,154km via the Pan Borneo Highway which connects Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.
