TUANKU AGONG DROVE HIMSELF TO RAUB CAMPUS TO CELEBRATE RAYA WITH THE RAKYAT

I am here at the UiTM Pahang Branch Raub Campus for the Hari Raya Aidilfitiri Banquet hosted by the Raub District Office. Everyone seems very excited to meet Tuanku Agong and His Majesty's son, Tengku Mahkota.

When Tuanku Agong's car arrived at the Raub campus, it was clear that His Majesty was at the wheel and Tengku Mahkota had taken a seat next to the King. Tuanku's humble demeanour definitely warmed the hearts of those attending the Raub District Hari Raya Aidilfitri Banquet. The exemplary character and charisma of His Majesty's family have always been the talk of the rakyat. The friendly and humble nature of the Royal Family has always been an inspiration to us all.

37 stalls of agencies and organisations in Raub contributed to the success of the event by offering an array of delicious traditional and local delicacies for all visitors. Putu Mayam, Apam Balik and Putu Piring seem to be Tuanku's favourite kuih. I saw that His Majesty enjoyed them very much.

In case you are curious, the atmosphere of the ceremony was really lively and joyful. Tuanku was fascinated by the talented children of Sekolah Kebangsaan Gali, Raub. They performed a joget (a traditional Malay dance) while singing "Seloka Hari Raya", a song made famous by Uji Rashid & Hail Amir.

During the ceremony, Tuanku recounted a friendly football match he had played at the UiTM Jengka on 12 October 2009. In fact, while preparing for today's Raya banquet, the UiTM Pahang Branch team had even prepared a special souvenir for the King, who happened to remember that memorable event. Tuanku's face lit up with joy when he received it. "Tuanku, my birthday is also on 12 October". I turned to the King warmly. "Happy birthday," the King replied to me. That was my Raya's experience at the Raub campus. Tuanku's kindness is on everyone's lips and endears His Majesty to the rakyat. For the record: The photo was taken by Encik Mohd Hanifah Hashim, Assistant Registrar, Student Affairs Division, UiTM Pahang Branch.

Meanwhile, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Raub District Officer, Dato' Mohamad Shahid Ismail, who is also a former UiTM student. I want the community to be involved in the activities on campus that will bring them closer to UiTM, especially in the lifelong learning based programmes. Congratulations to the Rector and staff of UiTM Pahang Branch for their cooperation and commitment in ensuring the smooth running of the event.

We thank His Majesty for gracing the Raub District Aidilfitri Banquet at the UiTM Raub Campus.

Saya di UiTM Cawangan Pahang Kampus Raub kerana ada Jamuan Hari Raya Aidilfitiri Daerah Raub. Semua tetamu kelihatan teruja menanti keberangkatan tiba Tuanku Agong bersama anakanda baginda Tengku Mahkota.

Kenderaan Tuanku Agong masuk ke kampus Raub, kelihatan baginda memandu sendiri kenderaan sementara Tengku Mahkota disebelahnya. Kesederhanaan ini, terus menyentuh hati semua masyarakat yang hadir ke Jamuan Hari Raya Aidilfitri Daerah Raub. Sememangnya, perwatakan dan karisma Tuanku Agong sekeluarga sering menjadi perbualan rakyat jelata kerana sifat merendah diri dan mesra sentiasa menjadi inspirasi kita semua.

37 reruai agensi dan organisasi di daerah Raub bekerjasama untuk menjayakan acara tersebut dengan menyajikan pelbagai juadah tradisional dan tempatan yang enak kepada semua hadirin. Putu Mayam, Apam Balik dan Putu Piring nampaknya kuih “favourite” Tuanku. Saya melihat, Baginda begitu gembira menikmatinya.

Kalau anda nak tahu, suasana majlis sangat meriah dan ceria. Persembahan tarian joget dan nyanyian lagu “Seloka Hari Raya” yang dipopularkan oleh Uji Rashid & Hail Amir antara yang menambat perhatian Tuanku membuatkan baginda kagum dengan bakat cilik dari Sekolah Kebangsaan Gali, Raub.

Ketika majlis, Tuanku berkongsi momen baginda menyertai perlawanan bola sepak persahabatan pada 12 Oktober 2009 di UiTM Jengka. Sebenarnya, semasa persiapan jamuan Raya pada hari ini, pasukan dari UiTM Cawangan Pahang telah lebih awal menyediakan bingkisan istimewa foto kenangan untuk baginda yang secara kebetulan mengimbau semula momen bermakna tersebut. Ekspresi Tuanku kelihatan begitu teruja saat menerimanya. Dalam nada mesra dan hormat saya berkata “Tuanku, 12 Oktober juga tarikh kelahiran saya sebenarnya”. “Happy Birthday” baginda terus membalas. Begitulah kalau nak dikongsikan sedikit pengalaman di Raya di Kampus Raub. Kemesraan Tuanku sangat dirasai semua rakyat membuatkan baginda sangat disenangi rakyat jelata. Untuk rekod, foto tersebut adalah dari Encik Mohd Hanifah Hashim, Penolong Pendaftar, Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pelajar, UiTM Cawangan Pahang.

Dalam pada itu saya ingin mengambil peluang ini, mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Pegawai Daerah Raub, Dato’ Mohamad Shahid Ismail yang juga merupakan alumni UiTM. Saya mahukan masyarakat dilibatkan bersama dengan aktiviti-aktiviti dalam kampus yang akan mendekat mereka dengan program-program keilmuan berteraskan pembelajaran sepanjang hayat. Tahniah kepada Rektor serta warga UiTM Cawangan Pahang atas kerjasama dan komitmen dalam memastikan kelancaran majlis.

Menjunjung Kasih Tuanku atas keberangkatan ke Jamuan Hari Raya Aidilfitiri Daerah Raub di UiTM Kampus Raub.

@UiTM Cawangan Pahang