KUCHING, Sarawak – His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam arrived in Kuching, Sarawak last night where the monarch is scheduled to attend today the finals of the Sarawak Regatta, an event that attracts thousands of paddlers from all over the Malaysian state as well as regional and international participants, including Brunei Darussalam.

His Majesty along with Tun Tan Sri Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Haji Mahmud, Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, will be at the Kuching Waterfont to witness the climax of the annual race today where paddlers will be vying for titles in the event’s first International Dragon Boats Race category and ‘King of the River’ traditional longboat category.

Upon arrival at the Kuching International Airport, His Majesty was greeted by Tun Tan Sri Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib; Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak; Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hassan, Minister of Resource Planning and Environment II, Minister of Public Utilities and Minister of Industrial Development as the Minister in Attendance and Haji Soedirman bin Aini, General Manager of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation as well as senior officials from the Government of Sarawak.

Also present to greet His Majesty was Haji Kamsani bin Haji Noordin, Consulate General of Brunei Darussalam in Kuching, Sarawak.

At the airport, a Doa was recited before His Majesty and Tun Tan Sri Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib joined a motorcade to go to the Hilton Kuching Hotel where the monarch will stay.

On arrival at the hotel, His Majesty was greeted by Dato Sri Michael Manyin Anak Jawong, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications, Sarawak and Jon Warmington, General Manager of the hotel.

The three-day event, which kicked off last Thursday sees the participation of two teams from Brunei Darussalam along with hundreds of participants from around the globe, including Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Accompanying His Majesty during the visit is Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office. - Borneo Bulletin (7 September 2014)