Uggah about to beat the gong to symbolise the launch.
KUCHING: The Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development is consulting two companies that have commercialised kelulut honey to expand the export of the honey from the state in the global market.
Its minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, disclosed that the two parties are Rimbunan Hijau (RH) and KTS .
“We are in the process of discussing with RH and KTS because both the companies possess more than 5,000 logs of kelulut bees at their respective plantation sites.
“They are capable of producing a couple of tonnes of honey within a certain period of time. We are looking at how we can expand our market to outside the country in collaboration with RH and KTS, which already have their international market,” he said after launching the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Murum branch in Uma Bawang, Sungai Asap, Belaga on Thursday.
Asserting that kelulut honey “has high potential”, Uggah said rearing kelulut bees would not be too complicated because farmers do not need to feed those insects or take care of them.
According to him, distributors of kelulut honey in Peninsular Malaysia obtain the supply from entrepreneurs in Sarawak where the price is lower.
On the PBB Murum branch, Uggah asked that they keep a good record of every member so as to facilitate various development programmes later.
“Keep a profile of members including their occupation, education background and what type of programmes they expect and whether they have enjoyed the fruit of the current development,” he said.
He added that the Barisan Nasional government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had launched several programmes for the wellbeing of the community.