Juhar (fourth left), Norliday (third right), Yahya (second left), Tawfiq (right), Fadil (left) and others posse next to a picture of the ‘Perreiraara Tun Dr Juhar’ orchid.
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Sabah has named a new orchid hybrid in honour of the Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin, in conjunction with his 62nd official birthday.
Named as ‘Perreiraara Tun Dr Juhar’, the orchid is an intergeneric hybrid of a cross between Aerides lawrenceae with Vandachostylis Five Friendships.
Juhar and his spouse Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Norlidah Tan Sri Datuk R.M. Jasni launched the new orchid hybrid.
The launch also coincided with the two-decade celebration of the establishment of MARDI Sabah.
The flower of the Perreiraara Tun Dr Juhar orchid is characterized by white flushed pink with magenta lips and spur mid-lobe. It has a thick, waxy and mild fragrance, as well as being medium in size with a width of five centimetres.
The hybrid, which can last up to a month, has been registered with the International Registration Authority for Orchid Hybrids, United Kingdom in April this year.
Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin, State Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Haji Tawfiq Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Abu Bakar Titingan, Federal Secretary of Sabah Datuk Borhan Dolah, MARDI board chairman Dato’ Mohd Fadil Osman and MARDI director general Dato’ Dr Sharif Haron.