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Initials



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Background: For the first time for more than 400 years a ruling monarch set foot on Malacca soil when His Majesty the Yang de-Pertuan Agong paid his first Royal visit to the State. At the Tampin boundary the royal visitors were received by the Governor, Mr. Leong Yew Koh and Mrs Leong, the Dato Naning and his wife and the chief minister, Dato Osman Talib bin Osman and other officials.

At a welcoming ceremony on the Padang, where the Portugese landed 450 years ago, a 21-gun salute was fired by the Federation Armoured Car Regt and the Royal standard was broken over the saluting base. After visiting the Malaccan Municipality his Majesty signed the visitors book and retired to the Governor's residence where he stayed during the three day visit.

A highlight of the Royal tour was the presentation of dignitaries to their Majesties in a balai rong seri with fanfares and full state regalia. After visiting a boy's approved school and a girl's school, the Royal visit was climaxed by a State Banquet when his Majesty referred to Malacca's mixed history wherein the three races have lived side by side for many hundreds of years. The all-community concert which followed emphasised this harmony - with dancing by members of the Indian, Malaccan and Portugese communities.