A SWEET project, known as the Kelulut Stingless Bee Social Project, has been launched at the Golden Hopes PAWE Jelutong Seniors Activity Centre in Jelutong.
Initiated by Golden Hopes PAWE Jelutong chairman Lawrence Cheah Seong Paik and the centre’s patron, Madam Tan Lean Kee, wife of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the project has been developed since January 22, 2025, following the discovery of the potential of stingless bee farming.
In collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, the project began with the installation of five kelulut hives on the centre’s premises, with the aim of producing pure kelulut honey.
Cheah described the experience as fascinating and inspiring after members of the non-profit organisation visited the university.
“We saw the possibility of creating something that was not only educational and enjoyable, but could become a genuine social enterprise for our seniors,” he said.
The project also received RM10,000 in sponsorship under a two-year corporate social responsibility (CSR) grant from Maybank.
Tan described the project as meaningful, saying it demonstrated what could be achieved through determination, networking and support.
“Whenever you dare to dream, together with the will and determination, and the correct networking and support, things can move, and things can happen, like what is happening today,” she said.
Performances were held to celebrate the occasion, with seniors singing childhood classics while playing the ukulele and dancing to lively music.
Tan and Cheah also toured the centre’s garden to view its ongoing vegetable harvest before proceeding to the hives, where they unveiled the stingless bees.
Senior citizens and other guests watched as the bees buzzed around the hives, with some also getting the opportunity to sample the freshly harvested honey.
Story and pix by Ammar Mikhail Aamer