Tuesday, September 4, 2007

News:(The Star)Comment: Living in leprosy nurseries

I READ with great distress the article about the eviction notices being served on some of the nursery operators at the leprosy centre in Sungai Buloh (Nurseries to make way for UiTM campusThe Star, Aug 17).

The nurseries at the Sg Buloh leprosy centre are a favourite haunt of plant lovers, gardening enthusiasts and horticulturists. These nurseries have existed for a long time and have contributed to the development of the local horticulture industry.

Many of these nurseries were run by residents of the leprosy centre. This makes it even more special because rather than just suffer in silence, they worked hard to make a decent living and to gain a sense of dignity.

This to me is a true embodiment of Malaysia Boleh. It is ironic that this eviction notice is being served just as we are gearing up for the 50th Merdeka celebration.

In an enlightened society, the Sg Buloh nurseries would have been given the necessary support to become a major horticultural centre for Malaysia.

UiTM has many branch campuses and even if it needs more space, why of all places does it have to pick this little green haven in Sg Buloh?


Even if the nurseries have to go, the brave pioneers of our horticulture industry should be given a decent place to operate.



SURIN SUKSUWAN, Lausanne, Switzerland.


source: www.thestar.com.my