KUCHING: The 13th Asia Pacific Orchid Conference (Apoc13) was officially declared open by the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.
Clad in yellow batik shirt, Abdul Taib who was accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib was welcomed by Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth & Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai upon his arrival.
During the ceremony, the Head of State and his wife witnessed an orchid-themed dance performance and were presented with a new breed orchid, Dendrobium which debuted at Apoc13.
The couple spent about an hour visiting the orchid landscape exhibition which showcased various colourful exotic orchids with different landscape designs according to the theme of the participating countries.
Also present were acting State Secretary Datuk Jaul Samion, Tourism Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Apoc president Dennis Kao.
Sarawak is the first venue in Malaysia to host the Apoc. It is jointly organised by Sarawak state government, Apoc Trust and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) from July 24th to 28th.
