Singapore names new hybrid orchid species after Anwar, Wan Azizah

SINGAPORE – The Singaporean government has honoured Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail with a new hybrid orchid species, during their first official state visit to the island nation.

The hybrid purple flower was named “Dendrobium Anwar Azizah”, based on the names of the Malaysian prime minister and his wife, during an orchid-naming ceremony with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching.

The event took place at The Istana, the official office and residence of the republic’s prime minister and its head of state President Halimah Yaakob.

The Tambun MP’s trip to Singapore is his third official overseas tour after he took the nation’s reins in December last year.

Besides Wan Azizah, Anwar was also accompanied by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, International Trade and Industries Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, and other government officials.

Last year, Singapore also honoured Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah by naming another hybrid orchid species after her – “Dendrobium Queen Azizah of Malaysia”.

The naming of the flower was held in conjunction with the state visit of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tunku Azizah to Singapore from October 25-28).

Their Majesties were presented with the orchid's new name at a ceremony at Istana, Orchard Road here Wednesday, which was also attended by Singapore President Halimah Yacob and her husband Mohammed Abdullah Alhabshee.

Singapore is unique that it is the only country in the world to have a hybrid orchid as its national flower.

The flower, known as “Vanda Miss Joaquim” was selected among 40 flowers out of which 30 were orchids and was chosen on April 15, 1981. – The Vibes, January 30, 2023