KUCHING: The efforts of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, to reach out to the people during the Kembara Kenali Borneo journey have further nurtured the spirit of unity among the community.

Sarawak Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, said the presence of His Majesty together with the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, for 11 days in Sarawak and Sabah demonstrated that the Constitutional Monarchy plays a unique role as a pillar of unity, prosperity, and national stability.

“Therefore, Sarawak highly respects the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, even though the state does not practice a sultanate system like the states in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said during the Closing Ceremony and Dinner for Kembara Kenali Borneo organized by the Sarawak Government late last night.

Abang Johari said the Royal Couple’s participation in the expedition demonstrated that unity should not be limited by differences in religion, culture, or ethnicity.

“This was evident when Their Majesties willingly participated in various cultural activities organized by the people to enliven the welcome celebrations at each stop.

“The people of Sarawak are happy because they know they have a royal couple who are so approachable. The public’s response was clearly extraordinary throughout the journey,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari also announced that in addition to the Pan Borneo Highway being built by the Federal Government, the Sarawak Government is also constructing a coastal highway spanning 896 kilometers at a cost of RM5.42 billion.

He said the highway includes the construction of 10 bridges across major rivers, including the Batang Lupar Bridge, which spans 4.8km and will become the longest river-crossing bridge in the country once completed.

In addition, he said the Sarawak Government is building a second highway from Samarahan to northern Sarawak via Sebuyau and Lingga at a cost of RM5.58 billion, which will shorten travel time from Kuching to Sibu from the current five or six hours to just two and a half hours.

“The total construction cost of the Coastal Highway and the Second Highway, amounting to RM11 billion, is fully funded by the Sarawak Government.

“This massive infrastructure initiative, expected to be completed by 2026, aims to upgrade the road transport system as a catalyst for stronger economic growth, with the goal of making Sarawak a high-income and developed state by 2030,” he said.