KUALA LUMPUR: The city has taken on an enchanting appearance similar to that of springtime in Japan and South Korea.
The landscape surrounding the capital, including Jalan Sentul towards Batu Caves and the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) exit to the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), was transformed overnight, one week ago, with the beautiful white and pink flowers of the Tekoma tree, now in full bloom.
The mesmerising sight has caught the attention of members of the public, who can be seen taking selfies and photographs.
Kasim Awang, 57, when met by Bernama, said he and his family grabbed the chance to take some photographs of the breathtaking view before the flowers withered.
“I’m from Jertih, Terengganu and am currently in Kuala Lumpur to send my children to IIUM. So, we stopped the car to take some photographs together,” he said.
Businessman Helmi Abd Hamid, 45, from Sungai Buloh, is using the beautiful blooms as a backdrop to promote his products.
“Places of interest like this are the location of choice for any photographer or those who want to ‘showcase’ their business products as it can attract a good ‘audience’ when these photographs are uploaded on social media such as Instagram,” he said.
The Facebook page Asal Gombak has uploaded numerous images of the blooming Tekoma trees, also known as Tabebuia Rosea, and received almost 3,000 likes. The images were shared by almost 2,000 users of the site.
“The Ministry of Tourism should promote (this) to outsiders (tourists) when Covid-19 subsides. The ‘Sakura’ season in Malaysia ends in March every year. The option is cheaper and warmer than Japan,” wrote Muhammad Sidqi Muhammad Naim in a comment section on the site.
Another netizen, Muhamad Zulfika recommended that the tree be planted in more areas in the country.
“It’s beautiful. I think it’s good for Malaysia to plant this tree in more places… make a special garden as it may become a world attraction,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Sakinah Idris, senior research officer of the Horticultural Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute explained that flowers such as these usually bloomed after a particularly dry season, followed by the rainy season.
“Usually, this flower will bloom twice a year, around the end of March to early April and the end of August to early September but it depends on the dry and rainy seasons,” she said.
Sakinah, who researched plants from Central America and the South American continent, said it was a good idea for the government to promote the beauty of the season as a tourism product.
“In the northern states, like Kedah, the scenery (with these trees) is more beautiful due to the prolonged drought there but in other states such as Kuala Lumpur, it (planting) can also be increased to attract tourists,” she added.
- BERNAMA