Tengku Hassanal arrived in Sabah on Monday to lead the three-day Mahkota Borneo Expedition and began the climb to the summit of Mount Kinabalu from Timpohon Gate at 8.05 am yesterday before successfully reaching the peak at 8.45 am today.
The presence of His Highness in Kundasang, Ranau, also drew an enthusiastic response from locals, especially small traders who welcomed the royal entourage during its stop in the town on Monday.
Vegetable trader Maslina Mansun, 60, described the visit as a memorable moment, saying she was honoured to meet Tengku Hassanal for the first time.
“As a representative of the Kundasang community, especially the traders at the vegetable stalls here, we are truly delighted by the visit of Tengku Hassanal,” she told Bernama.
Maslina, who has operated her vegetable stall for nearly 40 years, also recalled meeting Tengku Hassanal’s father, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, during the Kembara Kenali Borneo programme in September 2023 when His Royal Highness was then the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Recalling the moment, she said she willingly kept her stall open until 9 pm solely to await the arrival of the royal entourage, which had begun the programme in Tawau before stopping in Kundasang town.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Sutini Muhailin, 58, said Tengku Hassanal’s willingness to meet local residents reflected his warm and approachable personality.
The grandmother of eight said they were informed of Tengku Hassanal’s visit only at short notice, but cooperation among vegetable traders enabled a simple yet lively reception to be organised.
She said the welcoming ceremony was enlivened by the beating of gongs, one of the cultural elements of the Dusun community in Ranau.
For Attasha Mohd Subki, 21, Tengku Hassanal’s visit was expected to bring positive spillover effects to the tourism sector and help improve the local economy.
“It is His Highness’ first visit here (Kundasang), and we hope it will help attract more tourists to Kundasang after the earthquake that occurred previously,” said the Keningau Vocational College student.
Meanwhile, Ranau district officer Tinus Manggam said His Highness’ visit would further promote Kundasang, Kinabalu Park and the Ranau district as tourism destinations.
He said Kundasang remained one of the main tourism attractions in Ranau and could help attract more development funding into the district.
“We hope His Highness’ visit will further enhance Ranau’s appeal, and at the same time, leaders and celebrities are also encouraged to support policymakers in upgrading this tourism destination,” he said.
— BERNAMA