Page 54 - MAEPS - JOURNEY THROUGH THE DECADE

J Journey through the decade: An Agro-Wonderland Taleourney through the decade: An Agro-Wonderland Tale

M M emories are
emories are

made of this
made of this

D
DATUK SERI AHMAD SHABERY CHEEKATUK SERI AHMAD SHABERY CHEEK
Former Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister ormer Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister
F
(July 29, 2015 – May 10, 2018)y 10, 2018)
(July 29, 2015 – Ma

E VERY city in a world has an Y city in a world has an The turnout at MAHA 2016 sa
The turnout at MAHA 2016 says it all. ys it all.
VER
Some 3.7 million people were present
iconic public park. New York public park. New York
iconic
Some 3.7 million people were present
E has Central Park, London has Central Park, London
throughout the 11-da
has Hyde Park. throughout the 11-day exhibition, y exhibition,
has Hyde Park.
making it the biggest domestic tourism
making it the biggest domestic tourism
The plan was to turn MAEPS into
event – and that too organised b
The plan was to turn MAEPS into event – and that too organised by the y the
greater K Agriculture and Agro-based Industry griculture and Agro-based Industry
A
greater Kuala Lumpur’s public park – to uala Lumpur’s public park – to
Ministry..
serve the 7.2 million-odd city dwellers.
serve the 7.2 million-odd city dwellers. Ministry
I got my colleagues from other
Why?y?
Wh I got my colleagues from other
ministries to join in. This
Because there is a dire need for open ministries to join in. This gave them a gave them a
Because there is a dire need for open
spaces for families and friends to get
spaces for families and friends to get sense of belonging. Not just ministers,
sense of belonging. Not just ministers,
activities held during MAHA were
together and sweat it out. A public space lic space
together and sweat it out. A pub activities held during MAHA were
this big will be the perfect venue for be the perfect venue for
this big will crafted to suit the needs of every afted to suit the needs of every
cr
gatherings, weddings, sporting activities,
gatherings, weddings, sporting activities, industry player, stakeholder and visitor.yer, stakeholder and visitor.
industry pla
concerts and even as an arts and culture
I hope to see a bigger turnout at
concerts and even as an arts and culture I hope to see a bigger turnout at
hub
hub.. MAHA 2018 and for the coming editions.
MAHA 2018 and for the coming editions.
It is only a 30-minute drive from More importantly, I hope to see MAEPS ortantly, I hope to see MAEPS
More imp
It is only a 30-minute drive from
centr
central Kuala Lumpur, making it an al Kuala Lumpur, making it an turn into a Disneyland-like park which e park which
turn into a Disneyland-lik
ideal week
ideal weekend getaway for young end getaway for young has something for everyone.
has something for everyone.
families.
families. MAEPS has huge potential in so many y
MAEPS has huge potential in so man
I even remember my conversation
I even remember my conversation wa
ways. It is able to self-sustain while ys. It is able to self-sustain while
with then Prime Minister Datuk Seri then Prime Minister Datuk Seri serving the people.
serving the people.
with
The huge land in MAEPS ought to be
Najib Razak, requesting that an MRT T
Najib Razak, requesting that an MR The huge land in MAEPS ought to be
or monor
or monorail station be built nearby ail station be built nearby gazetted as a people’
gazetted as a people’s park. We always s park. We always
talk about memories, especially when
to ensure better connectivity
to ensure better connectivity. Serious . Serious talk about memories, especially when
a particular structure or build
conversations took place to fulfill the a particular structure or building has ing has
conversations took place to fulfill the
been redeveloped. I hope that will
dream of turning MAEPS into KL
dream of turning MAEPS into KL’s ’s been redeveloped. I hope that will not not
Central Park. I hope this will materialise al Park. I hope this will materialise
Centr be the case with
be the case with MAEPS as memories MAEPS as memories
to imp
to improve access to MAEPS.rove access to MAEPS. there should not be just documented in
there should not be just documented in
I do hope to see more parking ba pictures.
pictures.
I do hope to see more parking bays ys
as the original design only caters for
It should always be there to be ys be there to be
as the original design only caters for It should alwa
enjoyed by our children and future yed by our children and future
150,000 visitors at a time but we have
150,000 visitors at a time but we have enjo
generations.”ations.”
seen certain programmes like the ammes like the
seen certain progr gener
Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and ysia Agriculture, Horticulture and
Mala
Agrotourism Show (MAHA) 2016 where grotourism Show (MAHA) 2016 where
A
some 500,000 visitors flocked to MAEPS ed to MAEPS
some 500,000 visitors flock
in a day.y.
in a da
It remains a proven destination.
It remains a proven destination.
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