Royal rice: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong trying their hand at pounding padi the traditional way at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association complex during their Kembara Kenali Borneo tour. — Photos: Bernama
JUST before his installation as the 16th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah sat down for a series of interviews with the media – divided into several small groups – at the Istana Negara.
The Star was invited and this writer went together with colleague Rozaid Abdul Rahman. The tone of the interview was serious at first but as the questions touched on family and his favourite things, the King was more relaxed. We were already feeling nervous waiting for him to conduct the interview and were about to heave a sigh of relief at the end of it when Al-Sultan Abdullah caught everyone off guard as he asked palace staff if lunch was ready and indicated he would join us.
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An epic expedition
The King being greeted by an enthusiastic crowd at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Safety Complex at Sungai Tujuh, Miri.
The King gamely trying out a blowpipe at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association complex in Penampang, Sabah.
The King waving to people who had waited patiently for his arrival at the Eastern Sabah Security Command in Lahad Datu.
The Istana Negara convoy started the Borneo Expedition in Tawau, Sabah, on Sept 3. — Istana Negara
The expedition underscores that respect and support for the monarchy is alive and well even in Borneo where they have no Sultans. — Istana Negara
What Al-Sultan Abdullah and the rest of his entourage didn’t expect was the overwhelming show of love by massive crowds lining the roads of Sabah to greet him and the Queen. — Istana Negara
There were many unscripted, unplanned scenes and repeated many times throughout the trip. — Istana Negara
