Orchid named after Malaysia's royal couple

Malaysia's King and Queen had an orchid named after them yesterday during their visit to the National Orchid Garden at the Botanic Gardens.

The bloom, called Aranda Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, is a hybrid with a light orange hue.

The Malaysian king, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, and his wife were accompanied by Mrs Mary Tan, wife of President Tony Tan Keng Yam.They also toured the orchid garden, stopping at the Tan Hoon Siang Mist House, which hosts a selection of rare orchids.

Later, the King and his wife, Sultanah Hajah Haminah Haji Hamidun, visited Gardens by the Bay on the second day of their three-day state visit to Singapore.

In the afternoon, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching called on them, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.

The Malaysian king and Mr Lee reaffirmed longstanding ties between both countries, and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and deepening people-to-people bonds, the ministry's statement said.

Today, the President and Mrs Tan will give the royal couple a tour of the Istana, the first for a visiting head of state. They will then host the King and Queen to an informal tea.

Also on the day's itinerary are visits to Reflections at Bukit Chandu - a museum which commemorates the Battle of Pasir Panjang during World War II - and the Night Safari.

The royal couple leave for home tomorrow.

maryamm@sph.com.sg

This article was published on May 21 in The Straits Times.

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