KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah still hums the “Bekikis Bulu Betis” and “Hanya di Sabah” songs more than four months after the historic “Kembara Kenali Borneo” tour concluded, according to his senior private secretary Nazim Alim
The two songs were frequently played during the 11-day tour across Sabah and Sarawak last September.
“His Majesty still fondly remembers the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ tour. He would watch the videos, and until today, His Majesty listens to songs played during the tour such as ‘Bekikis Bulu Betis’ and ‘Hanya di Sabah’,” Nazim said in a recent interview with Bernama.
“Bekikis Bulu Betis”, an Iban song penned and sung by Andrewson Ngalai, and “Hanya di Sabah”, performed by Dabra Sia, were among the “must play” songs at events during the tour in Sabah and Sarawak.
Accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and their children, Sultan Abdullah drove a four-wheel vehicle which led the convoy throughout the 2,332km journey.
Crossing the Pan Borneo Highway that connects Sabah, Sarawak, and Brunei, the first-ever royal tour provided an opportunity for the people of Sabah and Sarawak to see the royal family up close.
Nazim said the tour allowed the public to witness Their Majesties’ kindness and humility as the royal couple interacted and had meals with them.
Nazim said that as a show of appreciation and love for Sabahans, His Majesty also personally requested performers from the Sabah Cultural Board to perform at a dinner event held in conjunction with the 262nd meeting of the Conference of Rulers last October.
He added that Sultan Abdullah was still impressed with the rousing welcome given by Sabahans and Sarawakians to the royal entourage during the tour, which was originally planned as a vacation.
“We expected people to wait for Their Majesties, but we didn’t anticipate such a huge crowd. So many people came, and some even sat on the road (while waiting),” he said.
Sabahans and Sarawakians also took the opportunity to pass letters containing various requests and applications involving the construction of roads, power and water supply, among other things, to Their Majesties throughout the tour.
Producing a file filled with the letters, Nazim said His Majesty had read every single one of them.
“We held meetings upon returning from the tour and sorted the letters according to categories before bringing them to the prime minister. The government discussed the matter (requests, applications) and acted on them, and we received immediate feedback,” said Nazim.
“All of these (letters) have been addressed and acted on.” - FMT
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