By, Dr. Adibah Amir
On the evening of 28 October 2025, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kelulut Research Group hosted a specialised downstream product workshop at Dewan KRT, Kampung Melayu Wira Damai, Gombak, Selangor, for local residents. The session, which ran from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm, aimed to equip participants with the technical skills to process raw stingless bee honey into high-value commercial products, namely face and body honey beauty soap and antibacterial propolis skin balm. The event marked a significant milestone in the Projek Usahawan Madu Kelulut, an initiative under the Program Kampung Angkat MADANI Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education. This initiative leverages academic expertise to drive socio-economic growth in local communities.
The late-evening session was designed to fit the schedules of local community members, particularly targeting the B40 group to promote secondary income sources. The course was tailored to include practical formulations, with participants engaged in hands-on training to develop honey-based downstream products, particularly skincare items that offer higher profit margins than raw honey sales. The IIUM Kelulut Research Group also demonstrated techniques for stabilising the quality and shelf-life of kelulut honey, ensuring it meets commercial standards for safe skincare.
This workshop aligns with Gombak’s status as a MADANI Model District in 2025. It combines IIUM’s research expertise with the government’s socio-economic objectives to empower the economy of the Kampung Melayu Wira Damai community.
To ensure the participants could manage these ventures as viable businesses, the course included detailed instruction on cost management, providing a hands-on guide on cost estimation for raw materials and calculations for costing and Return on Investment (ROI). As for procurement, the participants were guided to compare suppliers to secure reliable quality at fair prices. Then, on marketability, some strategies for attractive packaging were shared to enhance consumer appeal.
Reflecting IIUM’s values, the central theme of the training was the integration of ethical manufacturing and best practices. Participants learned to prioritize the quality of homemade skincare, ensuring products are safe from hazardous chemicals and produced under trusted hygiene standards. The course introduced the concept of Ihsan (excellence and compassion) in business. This framework encourages entrepreneurs to look beyond mere profit, focusing instead on the well-being of the consumer and the protection of the environment. By emphasizing sustainable harvesting and chemical-free formulations, the program ensures that the local kelulut industry grows responsibly.
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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