Botanical makeover for DUN compound

Collaborative efforts by people and govt to transform Kuching into a garden city one of the best gifts for future generation

KUCHING: The 100-acre compound of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building will receive a full botanical makeover in the next 10 years.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday said the project was part of Kuching City North Commission’s (DBKU) efforts in transforming Kuching into a garden city.

“DBKU has put forward plans to enlarge the orchid garden here and I’m waiting to see how much the request is, so we can be more active in the International Orchid Show,” Taib said in his opening speech at the International Orchid Show 2011 at Orchid Garden here.

“We’re going to start with an orchid garden for the DUN area and the government is also planning to build other gardens in stages in a 10-year span. The gardens will showcase the many plants we have in our state to visitors,” he added.

The Chief Minister said collaborative efforts by the people and the government in transforming the city into a garden city was one of the best gifts for the future generation.

“A garden city is the best way to ensure our city is healthy with large space for recreational activities. We must ensure the city is not overcrowded so that our children will have space for outdoor activities,” he continued.

Taib encouraged partnership with international flower and orchid dealers to contribute to the growth of the state’s orchid industry.

“The world orchid market is growing very fast and we need to think of ways to participate in it. We must forge partnership with international flower dealers and invite them to come and participate with us in making the orchid industry as big as it can be.

“I know beautiful things like diamonds though small can attract a lot of attention. This is what we want from the orchid show. We must regard orchid shows as the pride of Kuching,” he said.

During the event, a new hybrid orchid ‘Aranda Raghad Taib’, named after the chief minister’s wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, was unveiled.

The new species registered with the Registrar Body For Orchid was the result of cross-breeding by the late Au Yong Nang Yip, a well-known orchid expert.

The International Orchid Show opens everyday from 9am to 5pm until July 31 at the Orchid Garden in Jalan Astana, Petra Jaya, here. The garden holds over 75,000 orchid plants from 150 species.

The event attracted orchid enthusiasts from Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, China, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.

Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and wife Dato Sri Empiang, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah, State Assembly Speaker Dato Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and DBKU Commissioner Mohd Atei Abang Medaan.