Thai Foreign Minister's Wife Praises Sabah For Well-Preserved Forests

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Thailand Foreign Affairs Minister's wife, Penlaksana Patimapragorn (two left) has commended Sabah for its well-preserved natural environment and forest reserves. Penlaksana, who is here accompanying her husband, Thanasak Patimapragorn who is attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, said "Sabah is a beautiful state and I love it". "You preserve your environment very well. I will tell my children, if they have time, to come to Sabah and visit Maliau Basin," she told reporters when asked to comment on the Maliau Basin documentary shown to her during her visit to Menara Tun Mustapha, here, Wednesday. Penlaksana was accompanied by the wife of the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry's permanent secretary, Varaporn Phuangketkeow. Her arrival at Menara Tun Mustapha was received by the Sabah Chief Minister's wife, Faridah Tussin. On her visit to Menara Tun Mustapha, Penlaksana said it was her first visit to the building and after viewing Tun Mustapha's life history showcased at the Tun Mustapha Gallery, she considered him a great leader. Earlier, upon her arrival, she was presented with a Kadazandusun traditional dance, Sumazau, perfomed by children from Tadika Ria Yayasan Sabah who were dressed in Malaysia's multi-ethnic attire. Penlaksana was also entertained with Sabah's ethnic instrumental songs performed by Keningau Bamboo Musica Sabah. All the musical instruments used by the group including the guitar and saxophone are made from bamboo. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA