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Charles and Camilla leave lasting impression during maiden Sarawak visit

SANTUBONG: Britain’s royal couple, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, left a lasting impression on the people in the state during their maiden visit to Sarawak today.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who is on their fifth day in Malaysia, kicked-off their whirlwind tour to the state by visiting the Sarawak Cultural Village, nestled at the foothills of Mount Santubong here.

Accompanied by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri S. K. Devamany and State Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the royal couple were greeted upon arrival by a cultural performance from dancers clad in colourful traditional costumes.

Prince Charles and Camilla spent almost an hour visiting attractions available at the cultural village, dubbed a ‘living museum’ displaying Sarawak’s diverse and rich cultural heritage.

The Prince of Wales also displayed his skills at using the Penan blowpipes when he visited the ‘Rumah Penan’ (Penan hut). He and Camilla also crossed a man-made lake via a bamboo raft.

The heir to the British throne also had a closed-door dialogue session with six community leaders representing the major ethnic groups in the state.

Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said Prince Charles was very passionate when the latter spoke about the preservation of indigenous cultures.

“He spoke at great length and shared his experience of preserving cultures and heritage among indigenous groups over the past 30 years.

“He also touched on the importance of pulling out all the stops to preserve Sarawak’s culture before it become extinct,” he said when met after the dialogue session.

Another community leader, Charlie Unggang, said Prince Charles was very humble and did his best to set everyone at ease.

“He was very down to earth and showed great interest in Sarawak’s heritage and issues related to the well-being and welfare of the people in the state,” said Charlie, who is DBNA deputy president.

Meanwhile, Ruekeith Jampong still cannot believe that he had attended a dialogue with the Prince of Wales.

“I am honoured to be part of the group who had this opportunity to attend a dialogue with British royalty. To be able to voice our opinions and for him to hear our views is an experience I will remember forever,” he said.

After concluding their visit to the cultural village, Prince Charles and Camilla later headed to the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Semenggoh near here, where they were given a brief on the rehabilitation efforts of orangutan and other protected wildlife.

Prince Charles also stopped by the Kuching and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre. Camilla, on the other hand, proceeded the Old Court House in the state capital to meet representatives of Purple Lily, non-governmental organisation.

The royal couple is scheduled to leave for Penang later today.

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