24/03/2026

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Former bank staff expanding honey business MARANG: A deep-seated passion for bees since his school days has driven a former bank employee to expand his stingless bee (kelulut) honey business, recording annual sales of hundreds of thousands of ringgit and highlighting the industry’s vast potential in Terengganu. Stingless bee farm operator Nor Ehsan Abd Rahman, 48, said his involvement in the field began in Form Three, when he was active in collecting wild bee nests from forests and residential areas. “I have developed a stingless bee honey business named Big Bee Honey, marketing various honey-based products, including food items and personal care products such as soap,” he said at his farm in the Merchang Forest Reserve here recently. The two-hectare farm was established in 2014 with an initial capital of RM20,000. It now houses over 1,000 stingless bee colony logs, up from the 300 he started with. “We have 13 farm workers, including participants from among zakat recipients who undergo eight months of training covering stingless bee care through to business operations.” Nor Ehsan said the farm’s main challenges include disturbances from wildlife, such as bears, as well as the risk of theft given its proximity to a 1,400ha acacia forest, which serves as a nectar source. This environment allows the honey produced to be categorised as acacia-based monofloral honey rather than multifloral honey derived from various floral sources. In terms of research and development, he said his company collaborates with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu on stingless bee colony studies, including hosting an international student who conducted research at the farm for a thesis. He added that Big Bee Honey products have entered the Moroccan market through collaborations with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Universiti Sains Malaysia. “In the domestic market, distribution is carried out online via platforms such as TikTok and Shopee, alongside product sales at the Big Bee Honey gallery in Kampung Jambu Bongkok, Merchang, which is open daily,” he said, adding that customers also hail from the United Kingdom, Australia and Yemen. Nor Ehsan said the farm recorded annual sales of RM300,000 last year and aims to reach RM500,000 this year through stronger marketing efforts and further international expansion. He also said Big Bee Honey products hold halal certification from the Islamic Development Department, the Food Safety is the Responsibility of the Industry certification from the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices certification.

Travellers greeted with Raya celebrations at airports

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

opportunities to tap into northern Chinese markets. “Qingdao Airlines’ network extends to major cities such as Seoul, Jeju and Daegu in South Korea, as well as Osaka and Nagoya in Japan, which will not only connect Penang with Shandong and northeastern China, but also position Penang within the broader market of northeastern Asia, boosting regional connectivity.” Qingdao Vice-Mayor Gao Jian said Malaysia is the third-largest source of inbound tourists to Qingdao. – Bernama treatment due to the more spacious and comfortable interior compared with conventional vehicles. Mohd Fathuddin Fakri said motorhome rental prices in Malaysia start at around RM500 per day, depending on the type and facilities provided, while premium units can reach up to RM2,000 per day. – Bernama invited to sample traditional Hari Raya delicacies, reflecting the country’s renowned hospitality and cultural diversity,” said Tourism Malaysia in a statement. The atmosphere was further enlivened by Aidilfitri-themed Malay cultural performances, while Visit Malaysia 2026 mascots Wira and Manja made special appearances to entertain visitors. Among the highlights were a traditional kacau dodol demonstration and a buka lemang showcase, both iconic elements of the festive season. The event was organised through collaboration between agencies under the ministry, airlines, corporate sponsors and tourism industry associations. Key partners included Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Batik Air, QSR Brands, Spritzer and Grab Holdings. KLIA, the country’s main international gateway, was expected to record a surge in arrivals during the festive period, with flights from Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Perth, Dubai, Brunei and Istanbul. Tourism Malaysia said such airport celebrations are part of its broader strategy to create memorable arrival experiences, strengthen destination branding, and position Malaysia as a culturally rich and safe destination year-round. The initiative is also aimed at leaving a lasting impression on visitors, encouraging repeat travel and supporting the long-term sustainable growth of the country’s tourism sector.

o Highlights include traditional kacau dodol demonstration and buka lemang showcase

PETALING JAYA: About 5,000 international passengers arriving on 28 flights were welcomed with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at nine airports nationwide yesterday, in a show of Malaysia’s cultural hospitality under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. The main celebration was held at KL International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, with simultaneous welcome events at eight other airports

director-general (Promotion II) Lee Thai Hung. “Following the Chinese New Year celebrations held in February, the Hari Raya festivities form part of a broader effort to highlight Malaysia’s multicultural identity. “Visitors arriving at airports were greeted with festive souvenirs and

across Selangor, Penang, Johor, Kedah, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak. The event was officiated by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general (Tourism) Chua Choon Hwa. Also present were Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim and deputy

Tourism Malaysia said the celebrations are part of its broader strategy to create memorable arrival experiences, strengthen destination branding, and position Malaysia as a culturally rich and safe destination year-round. – BERNAMAPIC

Penang to launch first direct flight to Qingdao GEORGE TOWN: Penang is set to achieve a significant milestone with the launch of its first direct flight connecting Qingdao, China and the state on March 31, marking a major step in enhancing air connectivity between Malaysia and China. northernmost city in China connected to Penang via direct flights. “This breakthrough reflects the steady northward expansion of Penang’s air connectivity with China, progressively enhancing our network coverage and Citing data from the Shandong Provincial Bureau of Statistics, he said the province’s population reached 104.3 million as of the end of 2025 and the new route is expected to serve as a gateway to other major cities in the province, including Yantai, Jinan, Zibo, Weifang, Weihai and Rizhao.

strengthening overall connectivity.” Wong, who is leading a state delegation to Shandong Province, attended the Qingdao–Penang Direct Flight Launching and Cooperation Matchmaking event on Sunday, aimed at leveraging the new route to boost tourism and economic collaboration.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the new route, to be operated by Qingdao Airlines, represents a crucial development in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in tourism, trade and cultural exchanges. “Qingdao will become the

He added that the route would enable Penang to leverage Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport as a strategic hub, enhancing connectivity to northeast China cities such as Harbin, Changchun, Yanji and Dalian, opening up greater

These demonstrate that production adheres to strict procedures regarding quality, hygiene and food safety. – Bernama Motorhome rental gaining traction for balik kampung trips

KUALA LUMPUR: The rental of recreational vehicles or “motorhomes” is gaining popularity among the public, especially ahead of festive seasons, as many opt for a more flexible travel concept to return to their hometowns or go on family vacations. Motorhome rental company RV Life MY founder Mohd Fathuddin

Malaysia or safe for long-distance travel, but after we actively shared content and provided exposure on social media, more Malaysians began to understand the concept and started trying it.” He added that apart from holidays and balik kampung trips, some customers use motorhomes to transport elderly parents for medical

which started with just one motorhome unit in 2022, now owns 126 units, comprising 40 units in Malaysia, 80 in Japan and six in Indonesia. He said the first year of his business was challenging as many people in the country were still unfamiliar with motorhomes. “Some questioned whether these vehicles are suitable for use in

Fakri Ramli said demand for such vehicles has increased in recent years, in line with changing travel trends that combine transport and accommodation in a single vehicle. “Only a few units remain available for rent for Hari Raya. Even before Ramadan, customers had started making bookings.” The 26-year-old said his company,