Royal Belum Kelulut Expedition 2 Part 1: The Indo-Malayan Kelulut Warriors

The Bilut Valley Bee Farm once again took time off to join another expedition last weekend, 21 and 22 May, 2016. It was organised by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), lead by Associate Professor Dr. Shamsul Bahri Abd Razak, a lecturer at the Pusat Pengajian Sains Dan Teknologi Makanan (Center for Science and Food Technology Studies) at the university. We had been waiting anxiously for this as having participated in the first ever kelulut (stingless bee) expedition in Bukit Kor, Terengganu, which was also  organised by Dr. Shamsul  and his team, we were certain it would be a very good event.

Almost the whole Bilut Valley Bee Farm tean from left Aniza,,Aiman, Marzia,  and Fauziah.

We were not disappointed - the Royal Belum Kelulut Expedition 2 was a huge success and the response at the end of it was unanimous; everyone was happy and satisfied with the programme throughout the expedition. Dr. Shamsul is passionate about stingless bees and studies on these meliponines which are endemic to tropical and sub-tropical countries. He is so determined to explore the forests in search of species that have been recorded by earlier researchers but have not been sighted as yet. He is fascinated by their behaviours and habitat, thus his commitment and dedication towards his endeavour.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shamsul Bahri Abd Razak

Dr. Shamsul also believes that anyone and everyone involved in stingless bees can contribute in research and the sharing of knowledge, and an expedition like this would be the perfect event to bring meliponine lovers together. He is extremely congenial to everyone regardless of background and stature, which makes him very well-liked by everyone.

The expedition was also attended by Hj. Mohd Najib Rais Hj.Noordin, an extreme enthusiast of meliponines. He was appointed by UMT as a resaercher in their Kumpulan Penyelidik Lebah Dan Kelulut UMT (UMT Honey Bee and Meliponine Research Group) as he has an exceptionally sharp eye in identifying different species of stingless bees. His supernatural ability to observe the bees' behaviour in foraging, and his findings have created a revolution in meliponiculture. Previously, it was believed that the main factor for the sustainability of a colony was nectar. But from Hj. Najib's observation, it is now evident that the source of resin is much more crucial for the survival of a stingless bees colony.

The rambunctious kelulut keeper.

From left  Marzia, Aniza, Dr. Shamsul, Hj. Najib and Fauziah at the Banding Island jetty.

An early morning shower failed to dampen our spirits as we left the Banding Island jetty on two houseboats that would be our transport and accommodation over the next two days. We were delighted to learn that Dr. Shamsul's lovely wife, Puan Zayda Kasim and their four sons were already on the boat and had been busy preparing breakfast. They were also to prepare all our other meals during the two day expedition...how wonderfully gracious!

Madam Zayda, chef extraordinaire kept us happy with her delicious cooking.

Muhammad Firdaus Sulaiman, Dr. Shamsul's right wingman.

In all, there were fourty-six kelulut-loving participants from various backgrounds; university researchers, government officers (but not on official duty) beekeepers, meliponiculturists, business people, honey hunters and even an actor/drama and film producer. We have become a huge, big family who share the same love for bees and the same aspirations. We are the keepers of the bees. We are the Kelulut Warriors.

The Kelulut Warriors
Assoc. Prof. Dr.Shamsul Bahri Bin Abd Razak (UMT)
Talhah Bin Yahya (UMT)
Muhammad Firdaus Bin Sulaiman (UMT)
Mokhtar Bin Ishak (UMT)
Zayda Binti Kasim
Muhamad Syazwan bin Shamsul Bahri    
Syazli Adam bin Shamsul Bahri                
Syazrul Harris bin Shamsul Bahri              
Syazmin Iskandar bin Shamsul Bahri        
Siti Asma’ Binti Samsudin (UMT)
Noorhafizah Bt Rahim
Fauziah Binti Shariff (BVBF)
Aniza Zain Ahmed (BVBF)
Aiman Mazlan (BVBF)
Marzia Mazlan (BVBF)
Wan Sharif B Majid.
Syamsul B Shafiee
Puovin Sandera
Loh Chung Tat
Azrul Azam Bin Nizarudin
Muhammad Riduan Bin Ismail
Mohd Ridzwan Razak
Nur Hafizah Binti Sharudin
Sahrom Bin Adam
Hazrina Binti Rashid
Farizan Bin Che Ani
Hj Mohd Najib Rais bin Mohd Noordin
Mohd Noordin bin Mohamood
Siti Aisyah binti Harun
Asnizad binti Abdul Wahab (Anta Farm)
Mohd Hatta bin Ali
Romaizi Mustafa
Zulfazli Bin Mat
Mohd Khairil bin Abd Rahim (Matkentoi)
Azmi bin Awang
Dr. Nur Azura Awang (UPM)
Wan Nur Asiah Wan Mohd Adnan (UPM)
Azlan Shah Mohamed Aris,
Mohd Taufik bin Hasan Saari
Murdipi Md Kasim
Muhammad Tareq Murdipi
Mohd Roslan Ibrahim
A.Rahman A.Hamid (Q'lulut)+
Mohd Rizduan b. Bahari
Mohd Suffian b. Abas
Mohammad Danish Akid