Johor Bahru (Friday - 31st July 2009):

More than 20,000 cuts orchid flowers in creative landscaped designed and over 5,000 orchid and bonsai plants will go up for public viewing during the Johor Bahru International Orchid and Bonsai Show 2009  from Aug 6 - 9 here.

The biennial event, which will be held for the first-time in the brand new fully air-conditioned Danga Convention Center, will be the country's biggest with some 40,000 sq ft of space (about the size of the football field) taken up with exhibits.

It si organised by the Johor State Government through the Johor State Tourism Action Council and the Johor Bahru City Council, in association with the Johor Orchid Society.

Menteri Besar Dato' Haji Abdul Ghani Othman will officialy open the orchid extravaganza at 8.30 am next thursday (6th August 2009). Administration is free throughtout the four-day event.

State Executive Member for Tourism , Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Hoo Seong Chang said 11 countries are taking part this year - Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam.

There will be participation by some 40 local groups and organisations. They include local authorities from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Shah Alam, Johor Bahru Tengah, Pasir Gudang, Muar, Tangkak, Batu Pahat, Yong Peng, Kluang, Simpang Renggam, Kota Tinggi, Johor Tenggara, Kulai, Segamat, Labis, Mersing and Pontian.

"We also have orchid asssociations and society from Perak, Selangor, Sabah, Sarawak and Johor taking part. There will also be exhibits by 10 individual orchid growers from throughout Johor," he told a pres conference today.

Mr Hoo, who si also chairman of the organising committee, said a special attraction this year will be the bonsai collection, with no less than 250 exhibits.

"Johor is the country's largest exporter of cut orchids. So, it is very significant that we're hosting this shoe. In fact, Malaysia is the largest orchid exporter in the world after Thailand," he said.

The last orchid festival held in 2007 drew a crowd of about 270,000 and due to the overwhelming response, the event was extended for another 10 days.

"We expect a similar, if not, bigger numberof visitors this time,: saie Mr Hoo, adding that many rare orchids costing thousands of ringgit would be available for public viewing.

There will also be about 50 "open air" stalls at the Celebration Square in Danga Bay selling anything and everything about orchids and bonsai, in addition to food, drinks and entertainment.

"We've planned a variety of activities for visitors. There will be bazaar sales, culture performances, drawing and colouring competitions and an orchid photography contest.

"Orchid growers will also get the opportunity to watch demonstrations on orchid arrengements, attend orchid clinics or pick up tips from experts," he said.

In conjunction with the show, an orchid seminar will also be held at Grand Paragon Hotel here on Aug 7, 2009 (Friday) from 8.30 am to noon, with speakers from the Philippines, Japan, Singapore and Myanmar. Admission is also free.

Mr Hoo said a total of RM 80,000 in prize money will be up for grabs in eight categories during the orchid and Bonsai show. This include four prize for orchid landscaping for local and international participants.

Cash rewards will also be given to three other categories - best orchid decoration in hotels and shopping malls; best photographs and best table display, which is open to students.

Judges will also be looking for the most beautiful flower in the best individual plant category.

Mr Hoo said more than 100 judges, mostly local and foreign botanical professor, have been assigned for the competitions.

(Source: Mint Mediaworks on behalf of Majlis Tindakan Pelancongan Negeri Johor.)