From the quiet town of Gemas to the deep forest reserves of Pahang, the journey seemed endless. My companion—a man built like the legendary warrior Zhang Fei, rugged and imposing—kept assuring me, "We’re almost there." By the time we reached the edge of the East Coast rainforest, my legs were numb from the grueling drive.
But for this man, the mission was urgent: We were there to save the Kelulut (Malaysian Stingless Bees).
The Kelulut is a native stingless bee species with 27 known varieties in Malaysia. They are much smaller than the common honeybee, a physical trait that makes them the ultimate pollinators of the rainforest. Because jungle wildflowers are often tiny and delicate, only the Kelulut can venture deep into these blossoms to gather nectar.
This unique diet makes Kelulut honey a nutritional powerhouse. It is exceptionally high in antioxidants, enzymes, and natural antibiotics, offering healing properties far superior to mass-produced honey.
As we stepped into the forest reserve, the heart-wrenching reality of deforestation hit us. Just a few hundred yards past the "Protected Forest" sign, the lush canopy of six years ago had vanished. In its place stood a graveyard of fallen timber and red mud.
When the forest falls, the bees lose their homes. Usually, indigenous groups or locals would split the fallen logs, burn the hives, and harvest all the honey, killing the colony in the process.
The "Man of the Jungle" refuses to let this happen. He strikes a deal with the locals: Do not destroy the hives; sell them to me. ### Ethical Beekeeping: The 10% Rule He doesn't consider himself a commercial bee farmer; he is a protector. He transports these massive logs—some weighing over 100kg—back to a dedicated sanctuary.
His philosophy is built on deep respect for nature:
Natural Foraging: He never feeds his bees sugar water. The hives are placed in a controlled wild area where they naturally forage from surrounding forest flowers.
The 10% Harvest: Unlike commercial harvesters who drain the hive, he only takes 10% of the honey. The remaining 90% is left to ensure the bees have enough food to thrive and multiply.
Following the Seasons: He tracks the flowering seasons across the Malaysian Peninsula like an almanac. This dedication results in rare varieties like Wild Bitter Gourd Honey, famous for its cooling properties and distinct taste.
Moving these hives is a Herculean task that only begins after 8:00 PM when the bees return home. It often lasts until 2:00 AM. Watching this "modern-day Zhang Fei" hoist a massive log onto his shoulders, his face drenched in sweat, I saw a different side of him.
Against the backdrop of a disappearing forest and the somber faces of the displaced indigenous people, he stands as a beacon of hope. He isn't just harvesting honey; he is preserving the antioxidant treasures of the rainforest and guarding the tiny "angels" that keep our ecosystem alive.
As the sun set over the muddy tracks of the logging site, the sweat on his brow caught the light. In that moment, the "Man of the Jungle" didn't look like a warrior—he looked like an angel.
Singapore
