25th National Landscape Day 2023: Silver Jubilee Celebration in Ipoh

After a long wait of 25 years, the National Landscape Day of Malaysia is for the first time, hosted in the state of Perak. This silver jubilee event is ongoing at Taman D.R. Seenivasagam (locally called D.R. Park), for three days until 12th March, 2023. This is also the first time that a National Landscape Day celebration is hosted at an open space, to be one with Mother Nature. The inaugural National Landscape Day was on 3rd March, 1998.

Launched by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim this morning, he outlined five strategies towards creating “Malaysia MADANI Quality Landscape”, which is this year’s theme, and the inspiration for the National Landscape Day 2023 celebration. They are:

i) Consolidate and promote a quality landscape network system in Malaysia so that it can be utilised comprehensively;
ii) Protect natural landscape resources and high-value landscape assets;
iii) Generate economic value for the landscape industry;
iv) Streamline the quality of landscape services; and
v) Make landscapes, parks and green spaces a framework for unity.

Video: Speech by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the 25th National Landscape Day 2023 in Ipoh

The launching ceremony was attended by the Minister of Local Government Development (KPKT) YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming and his deputy YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah Bin Mohd Nasir; Minister of Human Resources YB Tuan Sivakumar A/L Varatharaju Naidu; Deputy Minister of Local Government of Sarawak YB Datuk Dr. Penguang anak Manggil; Secretary General of the Ministry of Local Government Development YBhg. Datuk M Noor Azman Bin Taib; Director General of the National Landscape Department Tuan Roslee Bin Abdullah; as well as the top management of KPKT and heads of departments at the state and district levels.

HLN 2023 is hosted to increase awareness and appreciation of nature in addition to spreading the importance of landscaping through a comprehensive development programme. It is also an effort to achieve the vision of the Most Beautiful Park Country in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the National Landscape Policy.

Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim signs the commemorative plaque

Additionally, the aspiration for a more progressive and prosperous Malaysian community alongside the objectives of a Civil Malaysia (Malaysia MADANI) can be achieved through the great role and contribution of landscape in aspects of social sustainability, health, quality of life, mental and physical well-being, aesthetics, economy, and the environment.

YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming said, “Landscape features that are attractive plus have cultural identity and uniqueness are the main factors in creating a ‘sense of pride’ in the progress of a nation. Development that includes elements of natural landscape resources, especially in urban areas that are rapidly becoming an ideal medium in the progress of a country. The green environment in townships also functions as a recreational area and social integration in cultivating communities that are good-willed, harmonious, united, and healthy.

YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming having fun at PBT Manjung garden

During the ceremony, the Rosa-Sinensis Award was also presented to Local Authorities (PBT), government departments, agencies or developers who have shown continued commitment to ensuring that public parks and green areas that are developed have a positive impact on the community, the municipal environment and biodiversity city. This award is a rating initiative for public parks and green areas that are planned, developed, and managed comprehensively that fulfil their development function. The implementation of this Rosa-Sinensis award will encourage all the parties involved to work together to achieve the goal of providing quality public parks and green areas.

The three award recipients were:
1. Taman Eco Park, Bandar Seri Botani in Ipoh, Perak
2. Taman Awam Hutan Bandar, Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri in Johor Bahru, Johor
3. Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur

Wrapping up the launch, Minister of Local Government Development (KPKT) YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming presented Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim with a new orchid hybrid, which has been named Aranda PMX-Anwar, after Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister.

Minister of Local Government Development (KPKT) YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming presents an Aranda PMX-Anwar orchid hybrid to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim

The cross-breed between the Aranda Technokraft and Aranda Sayan, Aranda PMX-Anwar orchid has yellow-orange flowers that first bloomed on 5th March 2023. This cross-breeding initiative was taken by the National Landscape Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research & Development Institute (MARDI). Already registered with the Orchid Hybrid International Registration Authority in Britain, Aranda PMX-Anwar measures between 3 to 4.5cm in size.

two representatives from PBT Batu Gajah take a wefie with YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming

A total of 31 landscape-focused exhibitions are involved at HLN 2023, in addition to decorative gardens by each of the 14 Perak State Local Authorities (PBT). 358 species of trees, plants and flowers are being exhibited.

View all the photos from this launching event HERE or HERE for National Landscape Day 2023 on our official Facebook page.

Video: YB Nga Kor Ming Press Conference at 25th National Landscape Day 2023

Event: 25th National Landscape Day 2023: Silver Jubilee Celebration in Ipoh, Perak
Venue: Taman D.R. Seenivasagam, Ipoh
Date: 11th March, 2023
Time: 10am