PUTRAJAYA: The Royal Floria Putrajaya 2022, a flower and garden festival exhibiting various species and cultivars as well as ornamental plants, has been extended to Sunday (Sept 11) instead of ending today (Sept 6), said Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim.

He said, in conjunction with the school holidays which ends on Sunday, entrance to the festival will be free beginning tomorrow to enable parents to take their children to the festival.

"This is a gift for Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family). We are giving free entrance because there are parents who bring their children to visit Putrajaya, so it is good that we give free tickets to enter (festival).

"With the free entrance, we are targetting 100,000 visitors to attend during the five-day extension period," he said after attending the closing ceremony of the Royal Floria Putrajaya 2022 here today.

Last Friday, Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) announced the extension of the festival until today (Sept 6) following a very encouraging response from the public. It should have ended on Sept. 4.

Shahidan said the various interesting activities will continue to be held including performances by a group of buskers and a lucky draw, on the last day of the festival, offering a motorcycle as its main prize.

More than 400,000 people visited the festival since it opened to the public on Aug 29. Located in Anjung Floria, Precinct 4 here, there are about 10,000 orchids and 400,000 various plants on display.

The Royal Floria Putrajaya 2022 also showcases Taman Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysia Family Park) with a concept adapted through the three values of inclusivity, togetherness and gratitude.

Among the components of the festival, besides Taman Keluarga Malaysia, are Taman Koboi and Sukulen, Taman Instagrammable, Hiasan Dinding Orkid and Terowong Oncidium.

Shahidan, in the meantime, also declared the bunya raya (hibiscus) as the official flower of Putrajaya.

-- BERNAMA