Dressed to impress: Unduk Ngadau reps from several districts showcasing their traditional ethnic clothes during a Kembara Kenali Borneo event with Their Majesties in Telupid. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: With Malaysia Day to be celebrated tomorrow, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has called on Malaysians to observe and embrace the principles of the Rukun Negara, which are the foundation for national unity and the Malaysian identity.
Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said this was because the Rukun Negara’s five principles provided a formula for how people of different races, religions, cultures, and languages can overcome differences and live harmoniously and peacefully, according to Bernama.
The King said this in a statement that was issued by Comptroller of the Istana Negara Royal Household Major General Datuk Zahari Mohd Ariffin.
This year’s Malaysia Day celebration will adopt the same theme as the 2023 National Day, which is ‘Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan, while the Iban phrase from Sarawak, ‘Segulai Sejalai’ which means ‘together in unity’, will be used as the slogan for unity across the nation.
The national-level Malaysia Day celebration will be held at the Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching, Sarawak.
Zahari also said that the King and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah expressed how happy they were for being able to fulfil their dream of getting closer to the people of Sabah and Sarawak through the Kembara Kenali Borneo programme.
Their Majesties also expressed their gratitude for the success of the 11-day tour which began on Sept 3 in Tawau, Sabah, and which ended in Telok Melano, Sematan, Sarawak.
Joshua Wilson Nabi, 66, (centre) with two of his friends dressed as warriors of the Sarawakian Iban tribe waiting to welcome the arrival of the King’s convoy in Sri Aman. However, due to time constraints, the convoy could not stop at Sri Aman. — Bernama
The royal couple extended their appreciation to the government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and the governments of Sabah and Sarawak for their assistance in making the programme a success.
“Their Majesties also expressed their deepest gratitude to all the people of Sabah and Sarawak for the tremendous reception given to Their Majesties and the royal family throughout the tour along the Pan Borneo Highway.
“Their Majesties were deeply touched by the love and support shown by the people who tirelessly lined up by the roadsides to greet them, be it day or night, rain or shine.”
The inaugural Kembara Kenali Borneo, which received an exceptional reception from the people of both states, involved a 2,154km journey along the Pan Borneo Highway connecting Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.
“The experience of witnessing the manifestation of love from the people, the spirit of unity, cultural and ethnic diversity, and the beauty of the natural landscapes in both states are etched in the hearts of Their Majesties and the entire royal family as sweet memories that will never be forgotten.
“Furthermore, Their Majesties also expressed their joy because the Kembara Kenali Borneo programme had provided an opportunity to strengthen the bonds between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak and to realise the spirit of ‘Raja dan Rakyat Berpisah Tiada’ (The Ruler and the people are inseparable),” he said.
