SIBU: Shouts of "Tuanku, you are handsome" and "Tuanku, we love you" were heard as Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah took a brief walk at the Central Market here on Tuesday (Sept 12).
The Royal entourage, including Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, arrived at the market at about 8.45am.
Their Majesties were accompanied by their 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.
Most of the 2,000 well-wishers had lined up in front of the central market as early as 7am to welcome Their Majesties.
Dressed in a light-blue T-shirt, Sultan Abdullah waved to the crowd the moment he alighted from the 4WD vehicle.
As the crowd built up, Their Majesties had a quick photo session with Sibu Municipal councillors before meeting traders at the Pasar Tamu section of the market.
Armed with handphones, the enthusiastic crowd tried their best to take photos and videos of the Royal couple who spent 30 minutes during their walkabout.
"We had prepared a bouquet of flowers for the Queen but unfortunately we did not get the opportunity to present it to her due to the big crowd.
"We know they are very tired having travelled all the way from Sabah to here. We wish them all the best," said Eta Ting, the coordinator for a group of six religious bodies.
They were the Association of Churches in Sarawak, Sibu Branch, Masjid An-nur Sibu, Sibu Sikh Temple Association, Sibu Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Sibu and United Committee of Sibu Buddhist Association, Sibu.
The group, however, managed to get the King to sign a framed photo welcoming him to the town.
"We want to tell them that together we can build a community of love since His Majesty is here to visit us. We are so grateful and thankful that he is able to come with his entourage and children to meet us no matter what creed or race and religion we belong to.
"Although we were not able to have a group photo with him, we are happy that he is able to be here," said Ting.
Among those present to welcome the Royal couple were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
The Royal entourage will be heading for Sri Aman and Kuching later.
Their Majesties are on their first-ever "Kembara Kenali Borneo" tour to get to know Malaysians living in Sabah and Sarawak.
The tour, which began on Sept 3 and ends on Wednesday (Sept 13), began in Tawau and will culminate at Telok Melano, Sarawak.
It covers a distance of 2,154km via the Pan Borneo Highway, which connects Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.
