UCAPAN OLEH

YB DATO’ SRI AZALINA BINTI  DATO’ OTHMAN SAID

MENTERI PELANCONGAN MALAYSIA

MAJLIS PERASMIAN PESTA FLORA 2008

Dataran Bandaraya, Johor Bahru

8.00 PAGI, 26 JULAI 2008

Menghadap

Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin

Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah

Menghadap

Seri Paduka Baginda raja Permaisuri Agong

Tuanku Nur Zahirah

Ampun Tuanku, Sembah patik mohon di ampun,

Bersyukur patik ke hadrat Allah yang maha esa pada pagi yang mulia ini kerana dengan limpah rahmatnya dapat patik sekalian berhimpun bersama-sama menyaksikan «  Majlis Pelancaran Floral Parade 2008 » di Dataran Johor Bahru.  Perkenan Tuanku mencemar duli untuk menyempurnakan majlis pelancaran ini amat besar ertinya kepada kerajaan Malaysia dan rakyat negeri Johor, amnya.

Floral Parade merupakan acara tahunan Kementerian Pelancongan.  Pada tahun ini ia diadakan di Johor selaras dengan dasar Kementerian untuk melebarkan peluang penyertaan menyaksikan dan menikmati keunikan perarakan ini kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia. Kementerian juga bercadang untuk mengajurkan program seperti ini di tempat-tempat lain seperti Cameron Highland dan Bukit Fraser.  Limpahan ekoomi juga akan dapat dinikmati oleh rakyat jelata.

Acara ini akan mempamerkan kereta berhias bunga hidup dari seluruh negara.  Sebanyak 17 kereta berhias dari seluruh negara termasuk dua penyertaan dari Macau dan Suzhow menyertai perarakan ini.  Ia diserikan dengan persembahan kebudayaan negeri masing-masing.

Acara ini juga disusuli dengan pameran statik atau Floral Static Display 2008 di Danga Bay mulai hari ini hingga 28 Julai 2008.

Ampun Tuanku, sembah patik mohon di ampun.

Patik ingin memohon izin dan perkenan Tuanku untuk menyampaikan ucapan seterusnya kepada tetamu jemputan dalam bahasa Inggeris.

“To All Visitors and Mega Fam participants from around the World, thank you for your kind presence here this morning.

Today is a special day for me for two reasons.  First, as a Johorean and being back in my home State brings back a lot of happy memories for me. Today, I see that a lot of development has taken place in the State and in the capital city of Johor Bahru since my childhood days. Yet there has been a fair balance between development and the conservation of the rainforest.  For example, ZON Johor Bahru is a commercial hub bursting with excitement while a few hours’ drive away, one can bask in the serenity of  Endau Rompin National Park, with the magnificent seven-tier Sangkut Buaya Waterfalls.

The second reason as to why I am extremely delighted to be here today is because of the spectacular Floral Parade.  This Floral Parade which is the highlight of the Floral Fest 2008 consists of several other activities such as; the Floral Photography Competition and Exhibition, Floral Workshop, Florathon and Flora Paintball.

For the benefit of those who do not know, the Floral Parade was inspired by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses in USA. Each year participants in the Parade will be judged and awarded accordingly. There are six categories of awards: Premier Trophy, Theme Trophy, Creative Trophy, Parade Trophy, Jury Award, and International Participation Award.

I have also been made to understand that the theme of the parade is “Colours of Harmony.” The spirit behind “Colours of Harmony” is indeed apt and important as it reflections our nation’s aspirations - to be united in diversity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am proud to say that Malaysia has been acclaimed as one of the twelve mega-biologically diverse nations in the world. A wealth of natural attractions awaits visitors who enjoy fresh air, greenery and adventure amidst nature.  Therefore, amongst other development, it is fitting that our current policies be geared towards nurturing and developing eco-tourism. In fact, eco-tourism makes up over 10% of the country’s tourism revenue.

Eco-tourism has three basic elements: education, conservation and community empowerment in terms of revenue.   As such, the Floral Parade plays an important role in the educational process. Our blooms are as colourful as the rainbow and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Thus, the beautifully-decorated floats are opportunities for ordinary folks to view exotic flora up close. I  am confident that after the parade  some of you will feel inspired to visit our national parks, recreational forests, marine parks, and agro-tourism villages  that we have in our country, especially in Johor.

In the area of conservation, the development of tourism facilities is always preceded by Environmental Impact Assessments reports, so that minimal damage is done to the natural areas.  For example, the recent designation of three sites (Pulau Kukup, Sungei Pulai and  Tanjung Piai)  in Malaysia as Ramsar-approved is testimony of our sound conservation policies.

Eco-tourism can also enrich the lives of the local communities. For example, the operators of river safaris, trekking guides, chalet owners, outward bound programmes, scuba-diving instructors, and makers and retailers of souvenirs are some examples of those in the local community that can benefit from eco-tourism.  .  At the same time, agro-tourism villages can be excellent examples of entrepreneurship leveraging on eco-tourism, as they provide visitors a close feel of nature and agricultural activities.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I appreciate your coming here to witness the spectacular Floral Parade 2008 launch.  I hope you will spend time to savour the many exciting events showcased during this celebration. And please don’t forget to visit  the Floral Parade Float Showcase & Bazaar at Danga Bay, truly a great opportunity for the whole family.

With those words, it gives me great pleasure to officially declare the Floral Parade 2008 open.

Thank you

Ampun Tuanku,

Demikianlah persembahan ucapan patik kepada para tetamu jemputan.  Menjunjung kasih, Tuanku.