SOLDIER W. Sangeetha was a bundle of nerves at the idea of meeting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the royal Aidilfitri open house at Istana Abdulaziz in Kuantan, today. 

Sangeetha, 32, said she was lucky to to have spoken with the Agong among the thousands of guests.

“I was looking for a place to sit when I saw many people heading in my direction. I did not expect His Majesty to be in the group. And when he saw me asked where I was from.

“I was so surprised that I stammered. His Majesty then asked about my husband and family who were with me. I have constantly heard about His Majesty’s affable character but today I experienced it myself,” she told Bernama.

Sangeetha, who hails from Taiping, Perak, but is based in Pahang, said the family were able to attend the event because her husband managed to get leave.

Sultan Abdullah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah hosted the open house which was attended by more than 7,000 people, among which were Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and wife Burhah Mohammed.

Retired headmaster of SMK Sultan Abu Bakar, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mahmood, 86, who is wheelchair-bound, said he came to see Sultan Abdullah whom he had not seen for a long time.

As for Wong Wue, 72, and wife  Tan Ah Moi, 71, from Seri Kuantan, they said they came after reading about the open house in the newspapers.

David Whittingtom, 60, from London, said it was a happy coincidence that his tour of the east coast had placed him in Kuantan at this time.

He said he grabbed the opportunity to visit the palace as he realised it was not every day that it was open to the public.

He said he was surprised to experience such a cheerful atmosphere.

“I’ve tasted satay and it was amazing. I’m looking forward to trying other food too because the locals told me that some of it are only served during special occasions.” – Bernama, June 6, 2019.