His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended the Adjournment of the Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival 2024 in Kuching, Sarawak on Sunday.
Upon arrival at Kuching International Airport, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was welcomed by His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak; Yang Amat Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak; and Yang Berhormat Dato Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Premier of Sarawak as Minister-in-Attendance.
His Majesty then proceeded to the Kuching Waterfront to attend the Adjournment of the Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival 2024, in which the arrival of His Majesty was welcomed by Yang Amat Berhormat the Premier of Sarawak and Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim bin Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak as Minister Responsible for the Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival 2024.
During the event, His Majesty witnessed two categories of boat races for the Sarawak Regatta – Kuching Waterfront Festival 2024, namely, the Men’s Kenyalang 20 Paddlers (VIP) (Open); and the Main Highlight of the Sarawak Regatta, the final race of the Men’s Bidar 30 Rowers (Local), to claim the title of “Raja Sungai 2024”.
After the boat races concluded, His Majesty presented prizes to the winning teams including His Excellency the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak’s Trophy to the winners of the Men’s Bidar 30 Rowers (Local), who were crowned as the “Raja Sungai 2024”, as well as the Trophy for the Men’s Kenyalang 20 Paddlers (VIP) (Open), which saw the Brunei Darussalam Boat Race Team successfully securing a third-place win. His Majesty then attended an Afternoon Tea Reception at the Hilton Hotel, Kuching.
Prior to departure from Kuching, a Doa Selamat was recited by Ustaz Haji Mohammad Ihsan bin Haji Haidzir, Deputy Imam Besar of Sarawak.
Present at Kuching International Airport to bid farewell to His Majesty were His Excellency the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak; Yang Amat Berhormat the Premier of Sarawak and Yang Berhormat the Deputy Premier of Sarawak as Minister-in-Attendance.
The Sarawak Regatta, which takes place along the Sarawak River, was first introduced in 1872 and has since been organised almost annually to showcase boat races with participants from various Government agencies, the private sector, as well as neighbouring countries including Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Indonesia.
In addition, His Majesty’s visit to Kuching not only cements the longstanding friendship between Brunei Darussalam and the State of Sarawak but also reflects His Majesty’s interest, particularly in the field of boat racing, as well as further enlivens the highly-anticipated Sarawak Regatta 2024, awaited by all members of Sarawak’s community.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
