CHINESE AMAZED AT M'SIAN MINANGKABAU ROOF DESIGN

By Niam Seet Wei

SHANGHAI, July 22 (Bernama) -- The Chinese have been bowled over by the
design of the proposed Malaysian pavilion in the shape of a Malaysian
Minangkabau roof for the upcoming 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

The Minangkabau ethnic group (also known as Minang or Padang) is indigenous
to the highlands of West Sumatra, in Indonesia. Their culture is matrilineal,
with property and land passing down from mother to daughter, while religious and
political affairs are the province of men (although some women also play
important roles in these areas).


Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said the Chinese had described the
design as unique and awesome.

The Architecture Design Institute of South China University of Technology
had designed the Malaysian pavilion, Dr Ng told Malaysian reporters after
presenting the design to Deputy Director-General Bureau of Shanghai World Expo
Coordination Huang Jianzhi here Tuesday.

She said, due to the high standards required of the building’s design, only
11
companies submitted their designs.

The minister also revealed that Venturepharm Asia Sdn Berhad was selected to
build the Malaysian pavilion, adding that the company was picked through an
open-tender system by the ministry.

Ng said the company was registered with the finance ministry under the
treasury code 220204 (Exhibition Management Stage).

A report in a Malaysian tabloid Tuesday, had questioned why Venturepharm, a
pharmaceutical-based company, was selected to construct the pavilion.

The issue was first raised in a Lower House sitting last month by a PKR
member of parliament, Wee Choo Keong.

Ng said 242 countries were taking part in the Expo, adding that only 41
pavilions were designed by the respective countries.

She said in her meeting with Huang Tuesady, he had instructed that the
building be completed by December-end.

The Expo, expected to be held from May 1 to Oct 31, next year, is themed,
'Better City, Better Life'.

The minister also said that she had asked Malaysian Ambassador to China
Datuk Syed Norulzaman Syed Kamarulzaman to manage the project, while Malaysian
Council-General in Shanghai Azmil Zakaria would supervise it.

-- BERNAMA