An ex-convict’s insect farm transforms invasive water hyacinth into fertiliser, jobs and hope.
ASK AD Leong Bon Huat what he does for a living and his answer is simple: “I am an insect farmer.”
Yet what he does extends far beyond that.
Leong is one of Sarawak’s most experienced practitioners in black soldier fly (BSF) cultivation, transforming organic waste into valuable products such as animal feed, organic fertiliser and high-protein pet snacks.
He is also a trainer, entrepreneur, anti-drug advocate and community volunteer – roles which grew out of his life experience.
Born in Marudi and raised in Miri, Leong’s path changed course at age 23 when he was imprisoned after being convicted on drug-related charges.
Initially sentenced to death, he was granted clemency and spent 15 years behind bars before walking free at age 38.
To him, that age marked the beginning of the life he lives today.
The initials AD he now carries in his name stand for “After Death”, a personal reminder of the death sentence he once faced and the opportunity he was given to start again.
Upon his release, he took on odd jobs in a plywood factory while sharing his experiences through anti-drug awareness talks.
Gradually, his message reached wider audiences as schools, government agencies and community organisations began inviting him to speak.
Today, he delivers more than 50 talks a year and is recognised as an anti-drug icon at both state and national levels.
Leong, 62, also built expertise in BSF farming and cultivating beneficial bacteria for agricultural use.
“I have two strengths,” he said. “Cultivating bacteria and rearing insects.”
Behind the technical knowledge lies his ability to see value where others see waste.
In Dalat, where waterways have long been choked by invasive water hyacinth, locally known as “teparok”, Leong saw an opportunity hidden beneath the problem.
The idea came during a discussion with Dalat assemblywoman and Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, who asked whether the plant could play a role in BSF farming.
Leong responded that he could try. He began experimenting with the plant as a feed source for BSF larvae.
Through fermentation and a carefully balanced blend of biomass, the water hyacinth was transformed into a viable feedstock that produced high-quality organic fertiliser.
What was once an unwanted weed floating across rivers and drains began to gain economic value for local communities.
The insects produce nutrient-rich frass, a natural fertiliser with particularly strong phosphorus content, making it valuable for root development and plant health.
That experiment grew into the Dalat organic fertiliser processing and BSF breeding farm project, developed under the Sarawak government with support from PETRONAS, which contributed over RM2.2mil for facilities and equipment.
The project aims to strengthen community capabilities and advance circular economy practices through waste-to-worth solutions.
For nearly seven years, Leong has served as the project’s technical mentor, dedicating his time and expertise without financial gain. He helped establish the BSF life cycle, refined the cultivation process and trained local participants to operate the farm independently.
Working alongside the Dalat District Office and later Koperasi Lestari Dalat Bhd, Leong transferred knowledge he had accumulated over the years, helping transform a pilot initiative into a community-driven enterprise.
The farm now stands as more than a waste-management solution. It is a source of skills, income and opportunity for local residents.
At his own farm in Bintulu, Leong trains others in insect rearing and organic fertiliser production. Some of his former trainees have since started their own cultivation projects.
He sees the same principle at work in Dalat, a place that holds untapped potential in agriculture, biotechnology and circular economy initiatives.
The water hyacinth project is one example of how local challenges can become opportunities.
For Leong, the transformation of waste into opportunity mirrors his own journey.
Just as discarded organic matter can be converted into something valuable, he believes people can change and should never be defined solely by their past.
