By, Dr. Adibah Amir
The National Sports Day (Hari Sukan Negara) Gombak District-level celebration, held on 11 October 2025, featured an exhibition showcasing community innovations in urban farming. Organised under the Department of Youth, Community and Landscape, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), the event was officiated by the Selangor Menteri Besar and brought together several community gardens actively promoting sustainable living and green entrepreneurship.
The AU2 Community Garden presented its collaboration with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), established earlier this year through the Dana Inovasi Sosial grant by MOHE. The initiative focuses on stingless beekeeping (madu kelulut) and the development of value-added honey-based products, including honey cleansing soap, propolis skin balm, and honey moisturizing lotion. This partnership illustrates how knowledge exchange between universities and local communities can create meaningful, sustainable innovations.
The Ukay Indah Apartment Community Garden has also benefited from IIUM’s involvement, having attended stingless beekeeping training sessions at the AU2 community garden. The group has since begun producing its own madu kelulut, displayed alongside its signature smoked catfish (keli salai). Meanwhile, the Visi Nadi Selangor Community Garden showcased lemongrass-based wellness products, such as shower gel and balm, reflecting the creativity and diversity of community-led enterprises under MPAJ’s guidance.
The event highlighted the importance of collaboration between local authorities, academic institutions, and residents in advancing urban sustainability. The partnership with IIUM also marked the growing strength of the university’s Kelulut Research Group in driving research and development, while deepening its role in community engagement and social innovation.
Dr. Adibah Bt. Amir is an Assistant Professor from the Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia.***
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