KUCHING, March 17: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg wants Kuching roads to be decorated with flowers like what he has seen along the roads in Saudi Arabia.
He has instructed Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) to beautify the roads for the task.
He shared that during his visit to Saudi Arabia last week, he observed that cities like Jeddah, Medinah and Mecca were decorated with beautiful flowers and trees along their highways.
“Sarawak has plenty of these (flowers) but yet along our main roads, we don’t see them like what I have seen in Saudi Arabia.
“So now I want to share with the two mayors – Dato Wee Hong Seng of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Datu Junaidi Reduan of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) – please beautify our roads.
“If you don’t have (the) money, you ask (from) me because along our main roads we should see these sort of plants and colourful flowers.
“It’s not that difficult because even in our backyard we can see the beautiful flowers with most of it are orchids as (the species) is indigenous to Borneo,” he said during the launching ceremony of the Borneo International Garden Expo Sarawak 2023 (BIGEXS 2023) held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
He further acknowledged that the Sarawak government must have certain policies on the question of horticulture prior to producing more flowers, particularly orchids.
He also mentioned that he was informed by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Bintulu that there is one orchid which is not available in other parts of the world and is named after him.
From left: Abdul Karim, Abang Johari and Juma’ani with others touring the BIGEXS 2023 at BCCK on March 17, 2023.
Speaking to the reporters after the event, Abang Johari explained that the planting of flowers would only be concentrated in Kuching as other parts of Sarawak have their own attractions.
“Miri is a resort city and they have their own attractions in terms of Niah Cave as well as Mulu Cave. Sibu also has its own attractions.
“For Kuching, since it’s a capital city, we try to exhibit whatever resource that we have in Kuching. If for flowers, I think we can decorate (them) with (the help of) MBKS and DBKU,” he added.
Organised by the BCCK and Orchidwoods Company, BIGEXS 2023 is the first-ever international garden expo in Sarawak, showcasing exhibitors from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and China.
The event highlights the diverse flora and fauna of Sarawak, promoting sustainable gardening practices, conservation efforts of rare flora and fauna, and celebrating the richness of nature in the region.
Amongst those present were Premier’s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and wife Datin Sri Enn Ong; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and wife Datin Sri Zuraini Abdul Jabbar; and BCCK executive director Tan Sri Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot.
Abang Johari (fourth right), Juma'ani (on his right) and others in a group photo at the entrance of BIGEXS 2023, BCCK on March 17, 2023.