Latest news with #Heliconia
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
GOF seizes RM2.6mil worth of ornamental plants in Pasir Mas
KOTA BARU: Ornamental plants worth RM2.64mil were seized on Wednesday (May 14) by the General Operations Forces in an operation in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid ( pic ) said the seizure was made from a lorry by a patrol from Battalion 9 during Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan. He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. "These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process," he said in a statement on Thursday. It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes, but can be a medium for the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, including health analysis of the plants, he added. - Bernama
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
GOF seizes RM2.6 million worth of ornamental plants in Pasir Mas
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) continues to tighten border controls following the seizure of RM2.64 million worth of ornamental plants and a lorry in 'Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan' in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas, yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made by a team from Battalion 9 from a lorry during a patrol. He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. 'These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process,' he said in a statement today. It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes, but can be a medium for the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, including health analysis of the plants, he added.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
GOF seizes RM2.6 million worth of ornamental plants
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) continues to tighten border controls following the seizure of RM2.64 million worth of ornamental plants and a lorry in 'Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan' in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas, yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made by a team from Battalion 9 from a lorry during a patrol. He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. 'These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process,' he said in a statement today. It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes, but can be a medium for the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, including health analysis of the plants, he added.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Smuggled ornamental plants worth RM2.6mil seized in Rantau Panjang
RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized more than 8,000 ornamental plants worth RM2.6 million, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand, in Kampung Gual Tinggi on Monday. The Ninth Battalion made the seizure after intercepting a lorry when its driver was seen acting suspiciously at around 12.10am. Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said a 26-year-old man, who was driving the lorry, was also arrested during the operation. "The enforcement team found 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia saplings in the vehicle. "The plants are suspected to be infested with pests and diseases. "The estimated value of the seizure is RM2.64 million, including the lorry. :The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976. "The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action," he said.
Washington Post
16-03-2025
- Science
- Washington Post
Colorful tropical plants threatened with extinction, study finds
Tropical plants in the genus Heliconia attract hummingbirds, bats and other creatures in the wild — and intrigue plant collectors, who prize them for their intense colors, dramatic beak-like structures and showy flowers. But nearly half of the species in the genus are threatened with extinction, a new analysis finds, putting the genus — which includes species such as bird-of-paradise look-alike Heliconia rostrata — in danger worldwide.
