KUCHING, Sept 12: A new species of orchid found in Sarawak 14 years ago is to be named after Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
In a Facebook post today, Sarawak Information Department said the orchid named ‘Bulbophyllum abangjoeii’ was founded by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) researcher Professor Dr Rusea Goto.
“The UPM delegation informed the matter during their courtesy visit to the Premier’s office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today, led by UPM board of director chairman Tengku Syarif Laksamana Perlis Dato’ Seri DiRaja Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullail.
“Abang Johari has agreed for the orchid to be named after him,” it said.
Meanwhile, during the courtesy visit, the delegation informed Abang Johari that UPM would be holding its graduation ceremony for the first time at its Bintulu campus.
It said the decision was taken following the approval of His Highness the Chancellor of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to provide the opportunity to family members of Sarawakian graduates to witness the convocation ceremony who previously faced constraints in attending the academic awarding ceremony which is traditionally held at the Serdang Main Campus in Selangor.
“Starting this year, the convocation ceremony will be held annually at the UPM Bintulu Campus to pay tribute to Sarawak for allowing UPM to open a campus here,” it added.
The historic convocation ceremony will be held on Nov 1 at Dewan Sri Kenyalang in UPM Bintulu, involving 471 students.
The delegation also informed the Premier about establishing funds for the Sarawak Biodiversity Project and Agricultural Transformation Project in Gedong worth RM3 million and RM1.4 million, respectively.
The Agricultural Transformation Project aims to help transfer technology available at UPM to farmers in Gedong starting at the end of this year with 15 researchers from UPM. — DayakDaily
