Malaysia’s pool of world-class bonsai expertise represents a significant untapped opportunity to evolve beyond a hobby towards a more professional and commercially viable industry, driven by growing international demand.
Minister of Housing and Local Government, YB Nga Kor Ming, said Malaysia already possesses the essentials needed to develop bonsai into a high-value economic activity, such as expertise, rich biodiversity, talented bonsai artists and growing international interest.
“The presence of overseas collectors from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, India and Singapore seeking finished bonsai and raw materials in Malaysia demonstrates that international demand already exists, although the sector has yet to reach its full potential due to the limited supply of quality bonsai.
“Our bonsai ecosystem needs to evolve from passion to production, from expertise to enterprise, and from hobby to industry, for us to be better recognised globally,” he said while officiating the 10th World Bonsai Convention 2026 at Pavilion Bukit Jalil today.
He added that countries such as Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea have successfully developed bonsai beyond individual collections into an ecosystem involving cultivation, nurseries, training, exhibitions, tourism, trading and international exports. Malaysia has the foundation to develop a similar ecosystem.
He said KPKT, through the National Landscape Department (JLN), is prepared to strengthen collaboration with bonsai associations, practitioners and industry players to explore opportunities to develop bonsai as part of Malaysia’s wider landscape, horticultural and creative industry ecosystem.
This includes efforts involving cultivation, skills development, branding, tourism and international promotion.
“We want Malaysian bonsai to be admired not only for its beauty, but also recognised for its value, in the knowledge we preserve, the artists we empower, the entrepreneurs we create and the new opportunities we generate for Malaysians.
“Bonsai is not merely a hobby but a form of art, where its creators are artists whose works carry significant cultural, artistic and economic value,” he said.
He added that the convention, which is held once every four years, is being hosted for the first time in Malaysia. Bringing together participants from more than 40 countries, it can serve as a launchpad for the next chapter of Malaysia’s bonsai ecosystem.
Malaysia’s bonsai community has continued to flourish since the establishment of the Malaysia Bonsai and Suiseki Society (MBSS) in 1988.
Today, more than 10 bonsai associations have been established nationwide, while local practitioners have continued to strengthen their techniques and expertise over the past three decades.
For more info, check out KPKT Malaysia.
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