Tunku gets cordial welcome during 5-day visit
Published on: Monday, July 31, 1972
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The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, OKK Haji Sakaran bin Dandai and wife boarded the MSA plane to invite the Tunku and Tun Sharifah to alight.
As soon as Tun Sharifah stepped out from the plane, eight hadrah bands from various kampongs in the Kota Kinabalu District began to beat their drums.
Tunku and Tun Sharifah were received at the foot of the stairway by the Chief Minister, Tun Datu Haji Mustapha bin Datu Harun and Toh Puan Hajjah Rahma.
The Tunku was garlanded by 12-year-old Che Sandra bte Tan Sri Haji Mohd. Said Keruak, daughter of the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries while Tun Sharifah was presented with a bouquet of flowers by seven-year-old Che Sharifah Norliah bte Dato Habib Haji Abdul Rahman, daughter of the Minister of Finance.
The Tunku then proceeded to a saluting dais ace companied by the Ketua Menteri Sabah and wife, where the Tunku received a salute from a guard of honour formed by 100 Usno youth.
The Tunku then inspected the guard of honour accompanied by Sabah’s Chief Minister. The Kaum Ibu Angklung Band was in attendance.
The Tunku and Tun Sharifah were then introduced to a long line of VIPs headed by the Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia and Fiji, Tan Sri Mohd. Fuad Stephens, the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, Dato Haji Mohd. Kassim bin Haji Hashim, Cabinet and Assistant Ministers and local dignitaries. Also present were Sarawak’s Chief Minister. Dato Haji Abdul Rahman Ya’kub, Deputy Chief Minister, Enche Simon Dembab Maja, the Federal Minister for Sarawak Affairs, Tan Sri Temenggong Jugah, the Federal Minister of Works and Power, Dato Haji Ghani Gilong, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Enche Mohd. Khir Johari, and the Minister of Primary Industries, Tuan Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud.
The Tunku and Tun Sharifah then proceeded along the red carpet lined by 20 member Murut Bamboo Band towards the car.
The entourage was escorted by 28 Usno youth outriders and 60 mounted Bajau horsemen to the Chief Minister’s residence where the Tunku and Tun Sharifah will be staying.
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