AS cities become denser and more compact, innovative planning and design to integrate nature and the built environment become increasingly important, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
“Landscape architects can play a significant role in promoting healthy community living by providing scenic, economic, ecological, social, recreational, and educational opportunities.
“I am proud to see that Malaysian landscape architects have displayed notable works and are responsible for landscape designs, site planning, environmental restoration, parks and recreation planning, green infrastructure planning and provision; all at varying scales of design, planning and management,” Chow said in his officiating speech at the 12th Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA12) and Gala Dinner 2022 at St Giles, The Wembley Hotel yesterday evening.
Chow congratulated the MLA award winners, adding that each landscape architect had made significant contributions towards the development of the nation.
“This is my first time as the Chief Minister of Penang to attend the Institute of Landscape Architects (ILAM) prestigious gala dinner. My heartfelt congratulations to ILAM for its effort in making this event a success.
“I am pleased that over the years, ILAM and the Penang government have been collaborating in many beneficial ways.
“For instance, the state government supported and witnessed the success of the IFLA2020 World Congress, held in George Town, Penang, last August.
“It was a congress that reached beyond just a gathering of landscape architects and built environment professionals.
“The congress discussion and deliberation were in line with the holistic action plan of the Penang2030 vision, which aims at improving liveability, economy, civil participation, and balanced development to achieve ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.
“It demonstrated that, while our urbanisation and environmental crisis may pose numerous challenges, they also provide opportunities for innovative solutions that landscape architects can offer,” Chow spoke about the IFLA2020 World Congress.
He added that this year, the MLAA12 by ILAM has set another benchmark for the Malaysia landscape architecture industry.
In closing, Chow hoped that all Malaysian landscape architects could continue to excel and advance the landscape architecture industry, bringing the country to the next level in terms of social, environmental, and economic advancement.
ILAM president Assoc Prof Dr Suhardi Maulan said the ‘MLAA12 and Gala Dinner’ was a long-overdue event.
“It has been postponed since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope that the situation will improve and we can live our normal life once again as Malaysia transitions to endemicity.
Dr Suhardi said landscape architects are deemed as ‘stewards of the land’ and they play a role in defending and promoting sustainable development practices, especially in efforts to tackle climate emergencies.
“We also hope that Penang will continue to preserve, conserve and develop her beautiful urban landscapes, natural landscapes as well as the historic & cultural landscapes sustainably,” he said in his speech.
The MLAA12 received 135 exceptional submissions across seven categories between Nov 1, 2019, and Jan 17, 2020. The Awards recognises the contributions of outstanding landscape architects, consultancy firms, developers, researchers, students, contractors, suppliers, government agencies, the media and individuals at home and abroad for shaping the country’s landscaping sphere.
In addition to the existing award categories, brand-new sub-categories have been introduced in the MLAA12; namely the CSR Category – Green Initiatives Awards, and The Professional Category (International Entry) for Landscape Design Awards and Landscape Analysis and Study Awards.
The Wajah ILAM award is introduced this year to celebrate and recognise individuals (ILAM members or non-ILAM members) who have made a significant impact on landscape architecture, environmental awareness and protection, and elevating the spirit of landscape architecture to the next level.
‘Hijau’ song composer Mukhlis Mohamed Nor and singer Datuk Zainalabidin Mohamed were the recipients of the Wajah ILAM Award.
A total of 57 MLAA awards and seven ILAM awards were presented.
Among the notable winners at the event were Penanti assemblyman service centre, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) landscape department and The Habitat Penang Hill.
Penanti assemblyman service centre won the Excellence Award under the Government Category (Green Initiatives Awards) for its Penang International Paddy Festival.
MBPP landscape department took home one of the Honour Awards for its Taman Jajar Sungai Ara project.
The Habitat Penang Hill by Flagstaff Holdings Sdn Bhd grabbed one of the most prestigious awards of the night. The company bagged the MLAA12 President Award.
Seberang Perai City Council mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad also presented Chow with a book entitled ‘Aspiring Seberang Perai City’ featuring a collection of photography awards winning entries from 2016 to 2020.
Also present were state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, Shah Alam City Council mayor Datuk Zamani Ahmad Mansor, and National Landscape Department director Rotina Mohd Daik.
Below is the MLAA12 winner list:
Congratulations to all the winners!
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting