| Aziz Idris |
LENG Hung Ding, 79, from Bintagor, Sarawak came to Istana Nurul Iman yesterday in a wheelchair pushed by his son.
He suffers from Parkinson’s and was forced to use the wheelchair because of his serious condition.
However, that did not dampen his spirit to meet and greet 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 personally for the first time during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open palace.
Barely able to speak, he managed to break a smile and give a thumbs-up for the cameras at the end of the Junjung Ziarah.
According to his son, Leng used to be a strong and active man, running a rubber plantation back home. His spirit was still evidently strong yesterday.
The Istana Nurul Iman opening its gates to members of the public is a unique experience from the tourists’ point of view as it is a rare opportunity which cannot be found in other countries.
Istana gives priority to senior citizens and the disabled who turn up for the Aidilfitri open house.
The elderly receive special attention with facilities for them beginning from the reception area up to the Junjung Ziarah chambers.
There was also a special place set up with ramps at the dining area.
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; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah greeting guests during the open palace
Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sa-rah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman greeting the female well-wishers during the open palace at Istana Nurul Iman. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM
Some senior citizens are happy to be accompanied by their children and grandchildren to visit Istana Nurul Iman.
It is because of this special attention given to them, they come to the palace every year.
Dayang Baayah bin Hamid, 76, a senior citizen from Kampong Lambak Kiri, said this was the first time in more than 20 years that she came back to the palace to meet and personally convey her Hari Raya Aidilfitri wishes to the beloved monarch and the royal family.
Meanwhile, two other senior citizens expressed their gratitude for having the opportunity to meet face to face with His Majesty; Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam and members of the royal family.
For retired Imam Haji Malik bin Haji Bakar, 75, the visit made him reminisce the old times when he was working as an Imam. He told the Sunday Bulletin that he once read the Friday sermon for His Majesty during the ‘80s as the Imam at a mosque in Kampong Ayer.
“I was regularly invited to national events during my time as Imam. Now that I am retired, it’s an honour to ‘return the favour’ and greet His Majesty personally for all the times I was working,” he chimed.
He went on to remember the time when he was a young father, bringing his children to the palace for Aidilfitri open house.
“The palace has indeed undergone some major changes. Now visitors can relax with air conditioning and other modern facilities. No matter what the changes are, the ambience is still there and the integrity and love between the leader and the people can still be felt,” he said.
The post In a wheelchair – from Sarawak to Istana with love appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.