The King and Queen’s 2,154km epic road journey across the Malaysian part of Borneo has shown us what the nation could look like.
Their heartfelt love and compassion for everything Sabah and Sarawak, and the resultant bonding of the people, underpinned the respect and mutual understanding that leads to unity.
Such a spontaneous outpouring of genuine emotion feels so regal, particularly in these harsh, unforgiving times.
It has brought a sense of perspective into the lives of Malaysians, a realisation of what really matters, and what does not.
As the country’s carer-in chief, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has vigorously promoted a leadership that focuses on national unity.
In 11 days, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, have made Sabah and Sarawak feel as one with Peninsular Malaysia.
People of every race, religion, age and belief were united by the same common denominator: the King and Queen.
Amid the gathering storm of political and economic crises facing the nation, the royal couple offered a vision of a unified and progressive future.
If you think about it, that’s quite an extraordinary legacy. But to be a unifying force does not by itself result in unity.
The country must also want to be unified. If only politicians cared.
To be progressive, the people’s representatives should heed Sultan Abdullah’s call to them to “go and meet the people, go and listen to what the people need”.
Sultan Abdullah said he will do his part by handing over a long list of grievances and needs of the people he had met during the excursion to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
So large were the crowds along the way that it once took the King, who was himself driving a four-wheel drive, with Tunku Azizah by his side, five hours to cover 27km.
Odyssey of emotions
The royal couple made the monarchy matter by making it a part of their subjects’ lives with humility, and by being very accessible.
Sultan Abdullah’s family traversed the Pan Borneo Highway, that connects Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, heedless of the blazing sun and heavy rain from Sept 3-13.
Never has a reigning monarch and his family gone on a road tour to engage closely with the people of East Malaysia.
Many waited for hours by the roadside, some dressed in traditional attire that represented diverse ethnic groups, while others sought to take photographs with the royals or to get an autograph or a handshake.
When they took a break from the gruelling expedition, the royal couple sang, danced, and played traditional games, drawing laughter with their sense of humour and wit.
Watching the numerous videos of their jaunt, you could feel the huge respect and affection everyone has for the King and Queen, who won hearts with their humbleness, caring and appreciation.
Kembara Kenali Borneo tour was Sultan Abdullah’s idea to uphold the Malaysian in all of us, and I can’t think of any other single public figure who could stir such a feeling of togetherness in recent times.
Sabahans and Sarawakians have shown the world how much the monarchy really means to them, perhaps even surprising themselves in the process.
While it is a vital, important institution which occupies a central role in our hearts, will the spirit of unity survive? - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
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