KUCHING: His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah and Her Royal Highness the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj safely arrived at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) on Friday.

Their arrival at around 12.10 p.m. was welcomed by the Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar together with his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, and Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.

Also welcoming their arrival were Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam and other dignitaries.

After a brief doa selamat ceremony at KIA, the Royal couple departed for the Darul Barakah Mosque, Taman Satria Jaya BDC to perform Friday prayers with local worshippers.

Their Majesties' arrival in Sarawak begins a four-day official visit until next Monday, after the last time they set foot in the state was during the Kembara Borneo 2023 programme in their capacity as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Throughout this official visit, Their Majesties are scheduled to attend various official and cultural events involving the people of the state.

Tonight (Friday), the Royal couple are expected to attend the 'Malam Mesra' Sarawak-Pahang which will be held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex.

The next day, Their Majesties will travel to Kampung Kanchong Baru, Gedong to inspect the weaving activities at Seri Gedong Songket.

Al-Sultan Abdullah is next expected to visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, while the Tengku Ampuan Pahang will travel to the Sri Kenyalang Songket Complex at Puncak Borneo Prison.

In the evening, Their Majesties are scheduled to travel to the Kuching Waterfront to visit the Sarawak Gendang Festival 2025 Opening Ceremony, where they will also watch the Musical Fountain show and fireworks display.

On Sunday, the Sultan of Pahang and Tengku Ampuan Pahang are expected to travel to the Sarawak Cultural Village in the morning, before attending the Sarawak Regatta 2025 Closing Ceremony and the Sarawak Borneo Craft Festival 2025 in the afternoon.

Their Majesties are expected to return home to Pahang on the following Monday via KIA to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Kuantan Air Base. -UKASnews

Reporter: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Translator: Nerissa Sia
Photographer: Hazrin Sunaini