Love nature, landscaping, members of public encouraged

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KUCHING: Everyone, irrespective of age or gender, should strive to instill in themselves the interest in landscaping and the love for nature.

Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said only when the people had the interest, would they have a greater sense for the environment around them which in turn, would help create clean and beautiful landscapes through the planting of trees and flowers.

On this, he acknowledged that the landscaping and beautification competition organised by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) since more than 20 years ago, was going towards the right direction.

He opined that such programme would not only help beautify the areas under its jurisdiction – mostly the suburban parts of the city – but equally important also to create awareness among the public of the need to have clean and beautiful landscape.

“If possible, we want every inch and corner of our compounds to be covered with nice and beautiful greenery landscape; instead of beautiful buildings that make for concrete forests,” he said at the presentation of prizes to winners of the council’s ‘Beautification and Landscaping Competition 2014’ here yesterday. On the competition, the Bengoh assemblyman said he was happy that MPP had introduced a new concept that included various categories such as places of worship and primary schools.

“It is really good for us to improve the landscape not just in our neighbourhood, schools and parks, but also around places of worship such as temples, mosques, suraus, churches and chapels.

“This is because what people can see from the outside, reflects our internal and spiritual values. Beautiful and ‘friendly’ landscapes may not be the main draw to attract people to come to these places of worship, but they could be the additional pulling factors,” he said.

On this, Dr Jerip reiterated that MPP was doing the right thing when it included places of worship under their beautification and landscaping programme.

The ceremony yesterday saw the attendance of the competition organising chairman Councillor Dr Zaiedi Suhaili, as well as councillors and senior staff members of MPP.