BINTULU: Residents of Rumah Raymond Plen in Sungai Gelam were ecstatic when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah visited the longhouse on today (Sept 11).
Tuai Rumah Raymond Plen said the residents and the surrounding community gave the royal couple a warm reception.
“We are not only proud and also fortunate to have been selected as one of the locations to be visited by their Majesties … they interacted with the people from various backgrounds,” he told the media.
The longhouse located about an hour’s drive from Bintulu Town was chosen as one of the stops in their ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ programme.
For Benid Jaraup, the visit was a historical moment for the longhouse.
“We are very proud and happy because their Majesties took the time to visit and engage in various activities that were organised to celebrate their arrival. It’s not just us, this moment is shared with the nearby longhouse residents in Sebauh,” he said.
Similarly, Seriah Thomas expressed pride, saying they were thrilled to welcome the King and the Queen, adding that the longhouse residents had made early preparations to welcome them.
“We also organised a handicraft exhibition so that their Majesties and their entourage can see the uniqueness of Iban crafts,” she said.
Catherine Lanyau added that they felt fortunate because, among so many in Sarawak, their longhouse was picked for the royal visit.
“Although our longhouse has often hosted events attended by national leaders, this time we are very proud because once again our longhouse is making history by receiving the Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong,” she said.
Ensuna Bujang, who is the Women’s Bureau Chief of Rumah Raymond, could hardly believe that their Majesties visited their longhouse.
“This is history. We consider it a rare event for a longhouse. We are very proud to have been chosen as one of the stops for them,” she added.
In addition to handing over donations to asnaf individuals in the area, the royal couple joined residents in fishing activities along the riverbank of the longhouse.
The Queen also engaged in cooking activities held in the longhouse compound.
Earlier, their Majesties visited a handicraft exhibition displayed on the longhouse’s veranda.
Also present were Acting Head of State Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
