Ikang Fawzi My Husband to become Botanical Garden Ambassador: Marissa Haque

28 Jan 2010 Nasional

From The Jakarta Post

BOGOR

The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) appointed rock star Ikang Fawzi, 50, as the ambassador for Indonesias Botanical Gardens (Kebun Raya), following his tenacious efforts to promote the establishment of botanical gardens in Indonesia.Bogor Botanical Garden head Mustaid Siregar said Ikang was chosen because he was actively engaged in conservation activities for various botanical gardens. Ikang has also acted as a strong advocate for the establishment of botanical gardens in other cities across Indonesia."I believe that becoming the ambassador for the Kebun Raya is a [significant] responsibility. As humans, we are supposed to nurture our environment as best we can," he said.

While Ikang said he had not sketched out future plans yet for his ambassadorial post since he has just been appointed, he confirmed he would continue to push for more botanical gardens across Indonesia."Creating botanical gardens is quintessential to the protection of Indonesias endemic flora," he said.

LIPI and the Public Works Ministry will work together to build 16 new botanicalgardens in 14 areas in Indonesia. Ikang said he would release a new album with fellow musicians Gilang Ramadhan and Ekki Soekarno, with songs focusing on the environment and reminding people to look after our planet Earth, he said. - JP/Theresia Sufa