MIRI: Miri City Council (MCC) will continue to hold the Miri City Home Garden and Landscape Competition as it is line with its vision to transform Miri into a green city.
“The programme is also in line with the National Policy of Sustainable Development – Matlamat Bagi Pembangunan Mampan, to develop the city into a Sustainable City and Communities,” said Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang on Monday (Dec 19).
Earlier, Yii presented prizes and certificates to winners of this year’s competition.
The competition began way back in 1987. It was the idea of Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was then Chief Minister of Sarawak when officiating at a new housing estate, Taman Bumiko, here on March 13, 1987.
The main objective is to encourage house owners and property owners, be it public, private or commercial, to landscape and beautify the compounds of their properties.
The competition has since then become one of MCC’s annual programmes.
“In carrying on with this programme, it is high time for MCC to re-examine all aspects of the competition, including its format and even the structure of cash prizes.
“I feel that property owners have already spent quite a considerable sum in their long-term home garden and landscaping maintenance, therefore the award of cash prizes may not be a motivating factor for them to do more,” Yii said.
This year, 54 entries were received for 14 categories, including three categories in Bario Sub-District, compared to the average of more than 100 entries in past competitions.
“Perhaps, I would call upon the relevant Standing Committee and Landscape Section to take up the challenge of re-designing the competition to be more attractive and furthermore, to be more relevant to our present objective and aspiration,” Yii added.
