Malacca to be in full bloom soon

MALACCA: The Malacca Botanical Garden is set to become one of the region’s foremost tropical botany parks, following the Tourism Mi nistry’s move to pump RM30mil to upgrade and improve it. Besides offering visitors a chance to view a myriad of exotic flora and fauna, the 92.5ha garden will be the first in the country to offer a garden technician course aimed at creating a large pool of experts in the field of botany. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen lamented there was a lack of experienced botanists in the country, saying there are only about 10 people who were qualified to manage a garden of international standard. She said there was also a misconception that the profession was just another term for a gardener or tukang kebun.

Blooming beauties: Dr Ng admiring some of the orchids at the Malacca Botanical Garden during her walkabout with Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam Friday.

“We feel tukang kebun is not apt and we have been in talks with the Human Resource Ministry to introduce a garden technician course to help increase the number of those trained in the field,” she told reporters after a briefing by the state on the proposed upgrading project of the garden here yesterday. Dr Ng said there was currently no botanical garden in the country themed and geared as a recreational, education and research centre that could also tap the international tourist market. “We see Malacca has good potential, as it already has a good foundations with its 1,001 Flower Park and the botanical garden,” she said, adding upgrading project would see the garden creating specific flower themes and a seed centre.

“Based on world tourist trends, many tourists are keen on getting in touch with nature when travelling. “As such, the botanical garden here could be developed as a new tourism product for Malaysia,” she said. Dr Ng lauded the state government on its creativity and innovation in turning the historic state into the country’s top tourist destination with over eight million tourists. To further enhance this status, she said the ministry has allocated RM157.2mil to the state for tourist related projects under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

-thestar online.