Preparations in full swing for Borneo Flora Festival 2025
Published on: Fri, Jul 18, 2025
By: Bernama Text Size: Landscape workers and volunteers actively carried out preparation works at the Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) @ Labuan 2025 site on Friday. - fotoBERNAMA LABUAN: Preparations for the Borneo Flora Festival 2025 are well underway, with thousands of flowering plants being placed across the island, in stages, to create a vibrant and festive atmosphere ahead of the grand event. A wide variety of vibrant plants is being meticulously arranged at strategic locations, including the main venue at the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex, the Financial Park Complex, major roundabouts, public parks, and key gateways, such as Labuan Airport and ferry terminals.
Advertisement Labuan Corporation chief executive officer, Mohd Sukuran Taib, said that the initiative aims to transform Labuan into a 'living garden', reflecting this year's festival theme of celebrating biodiversity, conservation and community creativity. The Borneo Flora Festival 2025, organised by Putrajaya Corporation in collaboration with Labuan Corporation, the Federal Territories Department, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall, will officially kick off on July 26. Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, is scheduled to grace the opening ceremony at the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex. This year's festival will feature more than 29 themed gardens, showcasing exotic and endangered flora native to Borneo, alongside contemporary landscape designs presented by local councils, private sector players, and community groups. 'The five-day event will include plant exhibitions, soft and hard landscape gardens, eco-talks, art installations, live performances by Malaysian artists, and family-friendly activities designed to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable living,' Mohd Sukuran said. He added that the polybag planting strategy was adopted not only to enhance aesthetics, but also to allow for flexible, controlled growth and easier relocation, as the final designs take shape. 'Each phase of planting has been meticulously planned to ensure that the flowers are in full bloom when the festival begins. The strategic placement of 250,000 flowering plants across the island is part of our broader effort to infuse Labuan with the vibrant spirit of the festival,' he said. He said that the massive undertaking involves close coordination between municipal landscape teams, horticulturists, and local volunteers. The Borneo Flora Festival is expected to draw thousands of visitors, both domestic and international, including tourists from neighbouring Kalimantan and Brunei, boosted by an aggressive promotional campaign and improved ferry connectivity to Kota Kinabalu and beyond. With hotel rooms, homestays, and serviced apartments still available, organisers are encouraging visitors to plan ahead and experience what promises to be Labuan's most colourful and eco-conscious celebration yet. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
3 hours ago
- Barnama
FesKEP 2025 Celebrates Indigenous Culture With Immersive Experiences
KUANTAN, July 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Indigenous Arts Festival (FesKEP) @ Pahang 2025, a three-day event starting yesterday at Dataran Temerloh, serves as a platform to highlight the unique customs, cultural arts and heritage of the Orang Asli and indigenous communities of Sabah and Sarawak. Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) through the Pahang Department of National Culture and Arts (JKKN) with the support of the state government and various agencies, among others, it is to elevate the arts and culture of the Orang Asli and indigenous communities as a highly treasured national heritage. MOTAC deputy secretary-general (Culture) Datuk Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff said FesKEP @ Pahang 2025 reflects the ministry's commitment in upholding grassroots culture which as a mirror of Malaysian identity. In addition, the festival is seen as important to empower grassroots art groups and broaden the people's appreciation of the diversity of indigenous cultures that shape Malaysia's identity. "Through this platform, MOTAC not only brings the general public closer to indigenous heritage, but we are also committed to elevating Orang Asli and indigenous culture to be part of the national heritage that we collectively take pride in," he said in a statement today. Throughout the festival, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Orang Asli community life through the Mini Orang Asli Village which showcases various cultural and economic elements of this community in addition to several main attractions such as the sale of handicrafts, forest products and traditional crops. Even more fascinating, visitors can experience jungle life through the Survival Activities at the Survival Village, featuring demonstrations of skills such as traditional fire-making, hunting methods and an introduction to forest plants that are used in the daily lives of the indigenous community. -- BERNAMA
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Barnama
Sarongs On The Run: MSMR 2025 Kicks Off Sarawak Day Festivities
KUCHING, July 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 (MSMR 2025) made its Sarawak debut today, drawing some 2,500 participants nationwide in conjunction with Sarawak Day celebrations on July 22. State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who officiated the event on behalf of Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, hailed the run as a platform for unity and cultural appreciation. 'This is a meaningful unity run that strengthens ties among Malaysians, especially here in Sarawak. Congratulations to the organisers,' he said at the flag-off at Metrocity Matang here today. Billed as a 'cultural fun run', MSMR 2025 promotes healthy living while celebrating Malaysia's heritage. Participants ran 3-kilometre (km) and 5km routes clad in sarongs, with the course featuring cultural elements from across the country. The event was jointly organised by Malaysia Marathon and the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, in partnership with LOCCO, the organisers of the 'Keretapi Sarong' initiative, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC). Performances along the route included lion and dragon dances, traditional drumming, and cultural showcases from Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. LOCCO, in a statement, said the event emphasised inclusivity and heritage appreciation, aligning with preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). 'MSMR 2025 is more than a run, it fosters community spirit and champions culture as a living, active force. It invites Malaysians of all ages and backgrounds to be part of a vibrant, meaningful movement rooted in national identity,' it said. -- BERNAMA
Borneo Post
5 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 lights up MetroCity Matang with 2,500 participants
Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 participants run to the finish line in their sarongs. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 19): The Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 (MSMR 2025) made a vibrant debut in Sarawak today at MetroCity Matang, blending culture, music, and fitness in celebration of Sarawak Day. The event drew 2,500 participants across three categories — 10km, 5km, and 3km — all proudly donning sarongs, turning the traditional attire into a symbol of unity, identity, and Malaysian pride. Along the route, runners were treated to cultural checkpoints featuring Dragon and Lion Dance, Gendang Fusion, and traditional performances representing diverse ethnic groups from Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, flagged off the run on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. In a brief speech, Abdul Karim said the event celebrated Sarawak's rich heritage while promoting community engagement and healthy living. 'This event showcases how our traditions can be celebrated in dynamic ways, uniting people of all backgrounds,' he said. In a statement, the organisers described MSMR 2025 as a cultural fun run — a collaboration between Malaysia Marathon, the federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, and cultural movement organiser Locco. Locco, known for the iconic Keretapi Sarong movement, brought its signature festive atmosphere, creating an immersive experience enjoyed by participants of all ages. Beyond the run, the event featured a mini carnival with Sarawakian art, creative vendors, family zones, and performances by local talents — turning the day into a full-fledged community celebration. MSMR 2025 was supported by various partners including Tourism Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026, corporate sponsors, and a range of official and technical partners. Kuching Malaysia Sarong Music Run 2025 MetroCity Matang
