Tawau aims for record with 8,000 flowering trees

0

GREENING EFFORT: Larry (right) planting a Flame of the Forest seedling at Taman Hot Spring Jaya with the housing committee members.

TAWAU: One hundred and twenty Flame of the Forest seedlings were contributed to the Taman Hot Spring Jaya housing committee and were planted at the housing area’s open space.

Local businessman Larry Koh Su Kian @ Rahim Abdullah who wanted to create a world record for Tawau with his proposal to array 8,000 Flame of the Forest (Delomix Regia) trees along the highway from Mile 4 Apas Road up to the Tawau Airport, said he made the contribution after the housing committee approached him to have their housing area planted with the trees.

During the handing over of the plant seedlings and planting on Saturday, he said he would work out with the housing committee to help look after the trees.

Meanwhile, on his project that would span 60 km to the Tawau Airport, he said they were waiting for the Public Works Department to give the greenlight but no doubt the project would get started.

Larry is sponsoring the initial planting cost and maintenance fee of the plants for up to five years and thereafter to hand over to Tawau Municipal Council (TMC) for management.

“Flame of the Forest has been made the iconic flower of the cities of Tainan in Taiwan and Xiamen in China. Currently, the East Lake Park of Shenzhen, with 700 Flame of the Forest trees, keep the record for the greatest number of the plants in one single location.

“Once the project is put in place in five years, when the 8,000 trees come to full blossom, Tawau will be a new world record holder,” he said, adding the spectacular scene will attract tourists from around the world,