King launches Kembara Kenali Borneo

TAWAU: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah launched the Kembara Kenali Borneo at a dinner with the Tawau community here last night, which was attended by 1,000 people including diginitaries and locals.

Al-Sultan Abdullah, accompanied with the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, arrived at Tawau Community Hall at 8.50 pm, and the royal couple was greeted by Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife, Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sabah Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya, state cabinet ministers and Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who represented the Sarawak Premier.

Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah also visited the tents next to the community hall, which featured traditional food of different ethnicities such as Tidung, Javanese, Cocos and Bugis.

Local Tawau products on display include amplang, mooncake and Tawau mee, while traditional ethnic foods include soto banjar, palekko and punti ne rabus.

Their Majesties also visited the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) exhibition tents, which displayed various products sold by residents of the district.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong then had dinner with the guests at the Tawau Community Hall before concluding the Kembara Kenali Borneo launch to meet Malaysians living in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak.

Al-Sultan Abdullah placed his hand on the hydraulic hand panel as the launching gimmick to mark the opening of the 11-day journey along the Pan Borneo Highway linking Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.

At the launch, both Majesties were entertained by the Sabah State Cultural Board with various cultural performances by different ethnic groups.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also sang a song titled 'Butakah Cinta' to enliven the event. Both Majesties left the event at about 10.30 pm.

A full programme awaits Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah today. Yang Dipertua Sabah flagged off the Kembara Kenali Borneo at Bulatan 0 KM near Padang Bandaran Tawau at 8.30 am.

En route to Lahad Datu, the entourage will first stop at Menara Kayangan before visiting the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) headquarters and attending a luncheon, as well as handing over donations to asnaf (tithe recipients) at Dewan Perdana Lahad Datu before proceeding to Sandakan.

-- BERNAMA