MALAYSIA AGRICULTURE PARK

MALAYSIA AGRICULTURE PARK

A Gift to Humanity

(Text by Dato’ Dr. A. Mustaffa Babjee)

The Malaysia Agriculture Park at Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam in Shah Alam, Selangor began as Malaysia’s first agricultural theme park. It has now become one of the nation’s most popular parks, with live demonstrations, dynamic permanent displays, cultural exhibits, recreational facilities, accommodation, picnic areas, open-air amphitheatres, nature trails, public amenities and numerous educational opportunities.

It is a magnet for day-trippers, tourists, campers, anglers, naturalists, birders, families, excursion groups, hikers, school children, university students and research scientists, as well as farmers, agriculturalists, nature-lovers and visitors from all over Malaysia and the globe.

This book does not attempt to reproduce the unique experience that a visit creates, but it does offer the armchair-traveller a vivid overview of the concept, scope and versality of this unique “gift to mankind”. When completed, the Park will be a place for the average man to look, learn and educate himself.  

MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

Although agriculture has come a long way in this country, there is a great need to develop more dynamic technological innovations, especially in rural sector, to ensure overall balanced development.

Towards this end, I am delighted that a number of approaches are undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture to stimulate as well as enhance the development of agricultural activities. The establishment of the Agriculture Park is a case in point. The Park enables farmers not only to continually tap and draw knowledge from the latest advancement in agro-technology, but also offers recreational facilities.

The pictorial book is a testimony of the success of the Park. It is my hope that it will convey not only the essence of the Agriculture Park but also something of the living reality that is agriculture.

DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD

MESSAGE BY THE FOUNDER OF THE AGRICULTURE PARK

There has always been a burning desire in my heart to leave something different, apolitical and worthwhile for posterity – something that we and our great grandchildren would be proud of. I dreamed of a microcosm of the Ministry of Agriculture’s activities in rural development, extension, training, research, food production and poverty eradication, set in an inspirational and appealing environment.

I requested MARDI to look for a suitable place for the project which I had in mind. Once found, I provided the motivation and the catalyst to the staff of my Ministry and they in turn added their dreams to mine and together we launched The Agriculture Park on 12 May 1986.

The freedom given to my officials to create a unique park, stimulated the emergence of hidden talents and the crystalisation of ideas into realities. My only guideline to them was to cite the work of a few dreamers of the past who have left such inspirational legacies to the world as the Alhambra in Spain, the Tivoli Gardens in Italy, and Disneyland in USA.

I conceived the Agriculture Park as a place of intellectual beauty where aesthetics and science are integrated into poetic expressions – a softening of the hard sciences with the gentle embrace of the art. The park is also an attempt to strike a balance between our past and our future, our culture and our advancement, and our environment and our needs.

YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad said, “Many, many things must be done by many, many people. And they must be done as correctly as possible.” He also said, “We should be a developed country in our own mold.”

The Agriculture Park is one of the many, many things done by many, many people in a manner of our own. It provides numerous scope for education, research, conservation, recreation and tourism.

Agriculture has often been associated with poverty. I know poverty, I have tasted poverty, I see poverty everyday, I devoted a greater part of my time to poverty eradication and I have even declared a holy war on poverty. I also know that poverty could never be eradicated, if poverty is measured in monetary terms and relative income. But I also see so much wealth in “poor” people, their talents, their hospitality, their innocence, their smiles and their traditions. At the Park, I hope you will see the richness of agriculture.

Our value systems have been strongly influenced by norms that place monetary gains above all other values. If this trend continues, we will end up being poor in the attributes of a truly developed and cultured nation. The Prime Minister had emphasised, “We must be fully developed in terms of national unity and social cohesion, in terms of our economy, in terms of cultural and social justice, political stability, system of government, quality of life, social and spiritual values, national pride and confidence.” The total value concept is also the philosophy behind the Agriculture Park’s theme. Once we appreciate the total value philosophy, we will no longer be poor.

SANUSI JUNID

Minister of Agriculture Malaysia

MESSAGE FROM MINISTER OF CULTURE, ARTS AND TOURISM

Malaysia Agriculture Park is a testimony of the Government efforts to preserve our natural attractions as an invaluable heritage for the enjoyment of our future generation.

The unique quality and beautiful features of the Park give visitors a rare glimpse into Malaysia’s rich agricultural heritage covering every facet of our country’s culture, history, geography and natural environment.

This book is indeed a commendable effort by the Ministry of Agriculture to stimulate interest and awareness of the Park and serves as an excellent reference for tourists. I also wish to congratulate the publisher, Design Dimension Sdn. Bhd. for their contributions in making this project possible.

DATO’ SABARUDDIN CHIK

INTRODUCTION

If there are projects on the ground today with the vision 2020, one of them is without a doubt the Agriculture Park Malaysia. Surrounded by areas of intense urbanisation and industrialisation, the park promises to remain the primary green heritage for millions of city dwellers of the 21^st Century. Parks and green spaces as well as rural traditions will become a rarity and will be much sought after by an industrialised Malaysia. In this respect the park not only has special features but also a strategic location to attract large numbers of local and foreign visitors. Its very concept as dreamed up by Sanusi Junid, ”as a gift to mankind”, will be appreciated much more by the future generations.

WHEN DOC IN THE HOUSE HAD AIDS

'POLITICS IS THE CONSPIRACY OF THE UNPRODUCTIVE BUT ORGANISED AGAINST THE PRODUCTIVE BUT UNORGANIZED'

 - Joseph Sobran -

The Star, Thursday March 24, 2011

When Doc in the House had ‘AIDS’

Along The Watchtower

By M. Veera Pandiyan

Fascinating stories about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, from a man who was close to both of them.

1. IT’S amazing that when it comes to politics in Malaysia, things either revolve around the same old issues or the same old personalities.

2. Like these two who still continue to make the headlines – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

3. Over the past few days, I have been trying unsuccessfully to get a copy of the former Prime Minister’s memoirs, A Doctor in the House, which has generated much interest since its launch more than two weeks ago.

4. Having missed out on the deadline for the collective buying discount offer at the office, the last hunt was at Borders in Tropicana City Mall in Petaling Jaya on Monday, only to find out that the latest batch of copies had just been sold out.

SELEPAS PERHIMPUNAN AGONG UMNO 2011

PERHIMPUNAN PEMISAH ZAMAN - ANALISA SELEPAS PERHIMPUNAN AGONG UMNO 2011

(Winnable Prime Minister + Winnable Cabinet + Winnable Candidates + Winnable Manifesto = BN's Victory)

1. Perhimpunan Agung UMNO pada tahun ini dan ucapan YAB Dato' Seri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, selaku Presiden UMNO, adalah perhimpunan dan ucapan yang 'futuristic' dan terpenting untuk masa depan UMNO, walaupun banyak rujukan kepada sejarah masa silam.

2. Ianya bukan sahaja menjadi perhimpunan dan ucapan yang memisahkan zaman gelap UMNO dan Barisan Nasional, dengan prestasi tsunami politik yang buruk dan mengecewakan dalam PRU ke 12 pada tahun 2008, tetapi juga menjadi petunjuk kepada masa depan UMNO.

3. Untuk bangsa Melayu dan masa depan negara yang berbilang kaum UMNO dan BN bukan sahaja perlu menang dalam PRU ke 13 tetapi juga dalam PRU ke 14 kira-kira pada tahun 2016 atau 2017, untuk mengembalikan, dan menyambung semula, kegemilangan kepimpinan BN di dalam negara..

4. Melihat kepada prestasi BN dalam PRU ke 11 pada tahun 2004 dan prestasi dalam PRU ke 12 pada tahun 2008 sudah pasti kita dapat memahami kenyataan ini. 

Kedah's Gold Coast: Sanusi' Mission (Malaysian Industry, May 1997)

Dear Readers,

Assalaamu'alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh

This article, which appeared in Malaysian Industry's edition for May, 1997, is reproduced as an attempt at 'TRANSFORMATION' which remains a dream unfulfilled.

Fahmi M. Nasir
Researcher at Toeti Juairiah Library

KEDAH ON THE FAST TRACK

By JOSEPH CHIN

The RM30 billion coastal reclamation project will create many economic spin-offs while preserving the state coastline. An airport, deep-sea port, hi-tech zone and tourism facilities will be built on the nine to 14 islands.

“The reclaimed land should be a place which you don’t believe is Kedah. When you go there, it must be somewhere in paradise. Industry-wise, tourism-wise”. An apt description by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Sanusi Junid about the proposed massive coastal reclamation project which has generated tremendous interest among investors, industrialists and Kedahans alike.

Sanusi – the Menteri Besar – is a man in a hurry. He wants to change Kedah from economically backward state and bring it on par with other States such as Penang and Selangor. Says an official about Sanusi: “He wants to bring all Kedahans who are working in other states back to Kedah. He wants them to be proud to work for Kedah. That is why he wants to create economic opportunities.”

Working at feverish pace, Sanusi has mooted several development programmes to launch the rice-bowl state into a hi-tech entity with boundless economic opportunities since he was appointed Menteri Besar on June 16.

MALAYSIAN INDUSTRY: TRANSFORMING KEDAH

Dear Readers,

Assalaamu'alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh 

Below is an article written about 14 years ago of a dream unfulfilled. If we do not progress it is not because we are short of ideas, however ridiculous they might seem.

It is reproduced for future government leaders to consider and think about. Or, they can just forget about it.

Fahmi M. Nasir
Researcher at Toeti Juairiah Library

TRANSFORMING KEDAH (Malaysian Industry, May 1997)

BY: JOSEPH CHIN

Sanusi has initiated massive infrastructure and socio-economic programmes to transform the rice-bowl state and its population.

It has been a busy 10 months for Datuk Seri Sanusi Junid since his appointment as Menteri Besar of Kedah on June 16 last year. As part of the massive RM30 billion Kedah Coastal Reclamation project – mooted by Sanusi – gets underway, noteworthy is the number of people-oriented programmes which he has initiated.

MALAYSIAN BUSINESS: AS COLOURFUL AS THEY COME

Assalaamu'alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh and good day to all readers.

As I observed TS Sanusi Junid has had lesser positive exposures of his ideas, even by the UMNO owned media, in his 30 years as an UMNO elected representative, and while in office. Scattered pieces, however, do appear in magazines and periodicals which have limited readers.

It is therefore necessary, for a better and correct understanding of his ideas and activities, that this article is reproduced, as previous articles have been produced and more articles, of this nature, will be produced in the future. 

In this way future submissions in this blog by TS Sanusi will be better understood with the right background and in the right perspective.

Selamat membaca.

Fahmi M. Nasir

Penyelidik di Perpustakaan Toeti Juairiah

(MALAYSIAN BUSINESS MARCH 1, 2001)

By Joanna Sze

1. In his 30 years in the national political arena, former Kedah Menteri Besar Tan Sri Sanusi Junid has drawn mixed reactions; from tacit approval to outright admonition. Joanna Sze catches up with him for his side of the story.

2. Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, 58, has been a prominent media figure since entering political playing field more than 30 years ago. And why shouldn’t he be? His radical, albeit controversial, ideas, sense of humour, art of story-telling and no-nonsense approach to work has been a source of endless amusement, criticism and even inspiration.

POLITICAL AND ACADEMIC WORLDS

3. When Malaysian Business caught up with the former Kedah Menteri Besar (MB) at his new office at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in Gombak, he seemed more relaxed compared to his days as Minister of National and Rural Development, Minister of Agriculture and MB. This change of pace seems to suit him fine.

4. ‘During the days when I was a minister, I was driven by the activity of the time’, he says. ‘ I had to respond to immediate demands, such as a tree falling across a road and causing massive jam, a villager passing away or a big drug haul just being stopped. Everything becomes your concern.’

5. As a president of IIUM, he says, he has the luxury of planning ahead.

6. ‘In the academic world, there are not many accidents,’ he says. ‘You have time to think. I can decide what I’m interested to look at for the day.’

MASTIKA: BAHAYA PENYAKIT GOLONGAN “BERLAGAK DALAM POLITIK”

Assalaamu'alaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh

Saudara Pembaca yang dihormati


Dalam komen-komen yang didapati dalam blog ini terdapat banyak kekaburan maklumat mengenai peribadi, pendapat, rancangan, projek dan prinsip yang dipegang, diamal dan dilaksanakan oleh TS Sanusi Junid, contohnya pandangan beliau mengenai kesetiaan. Oleh itu karangan terbitan Majallah Mastika keluaran bulan Mei, 1989 ini diturunkan untuk sekurang-kurangnya menjelaskan yang kabur dan sikap beliau yang sentiasa menyokong seseorang pejuang itu bukan atas watak pribadinya tetapi atas prinsip perjuangannya.

Keseluruhan karangan ini diterbitkan  dengan diberi tajuk yang relevan dengan isi paranya dan juga memberi nombor kepada setiap para supaya mudah untuk rujukan.
 

Selamat membaca.

Fahmi M. Nasir,
Penyelidik Perpustakaan Toeti Juairiah.

Temuramah Khas Dengan Datuk Seri Sanusi Junid (Mastika Mei 1989)

BAHAYA PENYAKIT GOLONGAN “BERLAGAK DALAM POLITIK”

Oleh Noritah Sulaiman

1. Sebut saja Datuk Seri Sanusi Junid, dengan pantas orang terus mengaitkannya dengan kempen-kempen yang diperkenalkan dan dijalankan. Kempen-kempen yang diperkenalkan sering menjadi bahan ketawa ramai.

2. Masakan tidak, pertandingan memanjat pokok kelapa, kempen makan ulam dan gerakan mengumpul tayar terpakai sebelum ini menjadi bahan gurauan orang ramai.

3. Bagaimanapun, ternyata, kempen-kempennya membuahkan hasil. Sejumlah 1 juta tayar terpakai berjaya dikumpul. Matlamat mengumpulkan 1.4 juta tayar terpakai hampir menemui kejayaan.

4. Makan ulam kini telah menjadi makanan utama bagi sebilangan penduduk negara. Malahan hotel-hotel terkemuka negara ini telah mula menghadapi masalah mendapatkan bekalan.

5. Hasrat unik dan impian indahnya untuk menjadikan Taman Pertanian Bukit Cherakah sebagai “Universiti Terbuka” bagi para pecinta alam pertanian kian hampir menjadi realiti.

6. Keunikan Datuk Seri Sanusi Junid lebih terpancar apabila beliau yang fasih berbahasa Tamil dan Jerman mengakui boleh mimpi dalam kedua bahasa tersebut.

7. Mastika baru-baru ini telah berkesempatan menemui beliau dan mengemukakan berbagai persoalan yang berkait dengan kementeriannya, isu-isu politik dan semasa.

8. Berikut adalah wawancara sepenuhnya Mastika dengan beliau.

KEBERKESANAN KEMPEN