KUCHING: The highly anticipated Sarawak Open — Bonsai & Suiseki Championship 2024, the largest event
of its kind in the region, has officially commenced at La Promenade Mall.
A record 200 entries were received, according to the Sarawak Bonsai Association, which is organising the
long-running Sarawak Open with the sponsorship of Hock Seng Lee (HSL).
Competing across six categories of Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small, Prospect and Suiseki.
Contestants are showcasing their finest bonsai creations, all vying for prestigious awards.
The championship's four major awards—Most Potential Award, Most Creative Award, HSL Award, and the
coveted Overall Champion—represent the pinnacle of bonsai excellence. The winners for each category are
as follows:
Most Potential Award | Thomas Wong |
Most Creative Award | Chai Ted Foh |
HSL Award | Tony Yu |
Overall Champion | Johnson Jong |
(From L-R) CHAMPION: Congratulations to the bonsai winners, where passion meets perfection.
The participants have devoted countless hours to perfecting their bonsai and suiseki, making the competition fierce and the results eagerly awaited.
Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister, graced the occasion as the guest of honour, officially opening the championship.
In his remarks, he praised the artistry and passion behind bonsai cultivation and the importance of such events in enriching Sarawak's cultural and creative landscape.
Adding a global dimension to the competition, the event welcomed two world-renowned bonsai master’s from Taiwan and Indonesia Ho Hsi Chin, Lee Zhong Hong and Chang Yung Sou as well as Rudi Julianto and Budi Sulistyo, whose expertise in evaluating bonsai has been instrumental in the judging process.
EXPERTS: International judges from Indonesia and Taiwan carefully evaluating the bonsai trees.
Plants will come from across Sarawak, from here to Sri Aman and Miri — all transported to La Promenade via lorries and pick-ups.
Ho Hsi Chin, one of the international judges from Taiwan expressed his excitement about the event’s success.
"The Sarawak Open - Bonsai & Suiseki Championship is an incredible opportunity for the public to experience the beauty and intricacies of the art of bonsai," Ho remarked.
"I was blown away by the competition's setup, which exceeded all my expectations. The scale, the work force, and the overall organisation were outstanding and meticulously managed.
A big thank you to HSL for providing such an incredible venue to host this prestigious championship for bonsai enthusiasts."
The Sarawak Open — Bonsai & Suiseki Championship continues to draw attention from bonsai enthusiasts and the public alike, as the breathtaking displays of bonsai and suiseki are set to inspire and captivate visitors throughout the event.
Additionally, Hayes Teo, the organising chairman, expressed his desire to expand the championship to an international level.
"This year, we have brought in five bonsai pots from Indonesia, marking the first time we've included international entries.
We're keeping international participation limited to minimise the risk of customs inspections and potential delays, but this is a positive step toward expanding global involvement," Teo said.
TAKE PART: Plants from all over Sarawak, including Sri Aman and Miri, are competing in this prestigious championship at La Promenade Mall.
The mall's spacious and versatile layout provides an ideal setting to showcase the mesmerising world of bonsai and suiseki to the public.
GREEN BUILDING: La Promenade Mall is famous for its beautiful landscaping, it is located at Kuching-Samarahan, along with the HSL Tower.
With its strategic location and accessibility, La Promenade Mall attracts a diverse audience, ensuring that this captivating art form reaches a wide and appreciative community.
BnB: This year's bonsai championship gets a twist, Beer Meets Bonsai.
For more info, visit @lapromenademall on social media.
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