MELAKA: Thousands of bunga raya will be planted in the state to honour its symbol as the national flower.

       The effort by the Melaka Agricultural Development (PPMSB) will be carried out under a five-year plan, said its chief executive officer Datuk Muhammad Muhaimin Lau Abdullah.

       PPMSB kickstarted the effort with the distribution of 700 pots of red hibiscus in conjunction with National Day and will continue to gift the plant for free until 2026.

       “The distribution will be made to all local councils, business premises and residential areas.

       “The species is the red hibiscus rosa-sinensis and PPSMB has a nursery in Jasin to cultivate the plant at a mass scale.

       “We have several hundreds of hibiscus species at our nursery and the colours range from white, yellow, pink and red,” he said.

       Muhammad Muhaimin said many were unaware that red hibiscus also partly symbolises the multicultural landscape of the country.

       He said hibiscus was also used as an ingredient in traditional medicine for the healthy growth of hair.

       “The plant grows easily and requires little maintenance, and is commonly used as hedge fencing in villages,” he said, adding it was declared the national flower in 1960.