By Christine T
KUCHING, Oct 2: The Sarawak Open Bonsai & Suiseki Championship Show is going cross-Borneo this year, drawing 167 entries from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, with specialists from Indonesia, Taiwan and Malaysia forming the judging panel for the five-day showcase at La Promenade Mall.
Running from Sept 30 to Oct 4, the championship, organised by the Sarawak Bonsai Association (SBA), carries the theme “One Borneo — One Bonsai Community”, reflecting the growing participation of bonsai enthusiasts from across the region.
Beyond Borneo, the championship has also attracted one participant from Canada, further widening its international reach.
The entries range from miniature trees measuring less than a foot to large specimens requiring lorries and pick-ups for transportation, highlighting the scale of the hobby and the dedication involved in cultivating the trees.
The judging panel comprises Pak Agus and Pak Akim from Indonesia, Huang Hsi San from Taiwan, and Kook Thiam Chuan and Chong Siah Leong from Malaysia.
In his opening speech, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali said the participation reflected the close ties shared by Borneo’s communities beyond national borders.
“We may have different borders, but we share something very special — our natural heritage, our love for nature, and our friendship with one another.
“Bonsai gives us a beautiful way to express that friendship,” he said during the championship held at La Promenade Mall today.
Meanwhile, SBA president Johnson Jong said the championship’s continued growth was made possible through the support of enthusiasts, organisers and long-term partners, including Hock Seng Lee (HSL).
“HSL has been a keen supporter of the art of bonsai in Sarawak. Having the championship at La Promenade is also very fitting because this is a place where landscaping and greenery are taken seriously,” he said.
HSL has supported the Sarawak Open at La Promenade since 2022, with the partnership closely tied to the development’s emphasis on greenery and landscaping.
The 200-acre La Promenade development was designed as a “township within a park”, featuring tree-lined boulevards with more than 1,800 trees, while HSL maintains a landscaping team of almost 30 people.
The development’s masterplan was also recognised at the 2018 Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards.
HSL marcom lead Abraham Tiong said the championship had become a natural extension of La Promenade’s identity.
“Landscaping has always been one of La Promenade’s signatures. We plant trees because they make a development better to live in, and bonsai takes that appreciation of trees to an entirely different level.
“HSL has supported this championship for years because it fits what we believe in. We are happy to provide the space and support, and even happier to see the bonsai community growing beyond Sarawak,” he said.
Organising chairman Hayes Teo said the dedication behind each entry could easily be underestimated, with some bonsai taking years or even decades to develop.
“A bonsai can take years, even decades, to develop. Then the owners have to carefully transport these trees here themselves. That tells you how passionate the community is,” he said.
The championship also features suiseki, the art of appreciating naturally formed stones for their shape, character and resemblance to landscapes or other natural forms.
International bonsai specialists are also taking part in the event, which features demonstrations and masterclasses that give visitors an opportunity to learn directly from experienced practitioners.
Abang Ismawi said the slow cultivation of bonsai also offered a wider lesson on building lasting relationships between communities.
“A beautiful bonsai cannot be created overnight. It requires years of care, knowledge and patience.
“Likewise, strong friendships and meaningful cooperation between communities are built gradually — through meetings, exchanges, understanding and mutual respect,” he said.
The 2026 Sarawak Open Bonsai & Suiseki Championship Show runs until Oct 4 at La Promenade Mall, with free admission.
For more information, visit lapromenademall.com.my and hsl.com.my, or follow @LaPromenadeMall on social media.
— DayakDaily
