Club Committee 2026-2028
Bringing together a diverse range of experience—from field research and citizen science to education and community engagement—the committee works collaboratively to drive the club’s vision and initiatives. Each member plays a vital role in ensuring that WBCM remains active, inclusive, and impactful.
Mark Ng
President
Mark Ng Meng Yong began birdwatching in 2005 and has since been actively involved in Malaysia’s birding and conservation community. He previously served as Coordinator of the Selangor Bird Group and as Chairman of the Bird Conservation Council under the Malaysia Nature Society.
Mark has participated in several citizen science initiatives, including raptor migration monitoring, the North Selangor coastal and mangrove surveys, wader counts, and community birding programs such as the Festival of Wings. He has also been involved in activities like the Kuala Kubu Bharu International Bird Race and regularly contributes bird observations through eBird.
Passionate about sharing his knowledge, Mark has conducted numerous “Introduction to Birdwatching” courses and outreach activities to promote birdwatching as a healthy and rewarding hobby. He hopes to inspire more members of the public especially younger generations to develop an appreciation for nature and to play a role in protecting Malaysia’s rich biodiversity.
Ashwin Kalai Chelvan
Treasurer
Ashwin developed a passion for birdwatching at the age of nine, alongside his twin brother, Arhwin, who also serves as a Committee Member of WBCM. With strong encouragement from their parents, birding quickly became a meaningful hobby that Ashwin pursued whenever opportunities arose.
Following the pandemic, Ashwin began dedicating himself more seriously to birdwatching and subsequently joined WBCM. His commitment and leadership led to his election as Honorary Secretary for one term, after which he took on the role of Treasurer—a position he continues to hold today.
Professionally, Ashwin previously worked in the banking sector but has since transitioned into a full-time birdwatching guide in Malaysia. In his roles within the Club, he has made significant contributions to organizing birdwatching events, workshops, field trips, and various other initiatives. Ashwin remains an active and dedicated member, continuing to support the Club in multiple capacities.
Arhwin Kalai Chelvan
Committee
Arhwin began birding and wildlife observation since 2001 at the tender age of 9 together with his twin brother Ashwin, through a nature scrapbook project that continued and evolved beyond the lifespan of the said project, which was only meant to last the school holidays. One species that really captured his attention is the Common Swift, particularly due to its ability to stay in uninterrupted perpetual flight for 10 months and maybe longer. Closer to home, he gets particularly excited and awestruck to see hornbills.
Arhwin has allowed his fascination for birds and wildlife to inspire and nudge him to a career in conservation. He now works with WWF-Malaysia as a Policy and Legal Analyst and is also a voluntary committee member of the Malaysian Nature Society Selangor Branch and the Bar Council Environment and Climate Change Committee.
As a committee member, he hopes that more people will discover the joy of birding and that Malaysia’s rich birdlife can be protected and thrive.
Jia-En Ho
Committee
Jia-En’s passion for birds began in her teenage years, when she started birdwatching together with her father. As her interest deepened, she became more involved with conservation efforts and has volunteered with organisations like the NYC Bird Alliance and HawkWatch International. In her free time, she also enjoys drawing birds and has contributed some illustrations to the Malaysian Bird Report. She now finds herself as a Wild Bird Club committee member and hopes to continue fostering interest in Malaysia’s birds.
One bird she never tires of seeing is the Blue-tailed Bee-eater, whose stunning colours and swooping flight enrapture her every time.
Emjay
Committee
Emjay (Marlina Jamal) began birding in October 2025, discovering a fascination with the colours and diversity of Malaysia’s birds. One species that especially captured her attention is the Copper-throated Sunbird, whose shimmering iridescent colours perfectly represent the beauty she loves about tropical birds.
Emjay has developed a strong passion for bird photography, enjoying the challenge of capturing birds in their natural environment while sharing their beauty with others.
As a committee member, she hopes to continue learning from fellow birders, contribute to the club’s activities, and most of all, encounter many more of Malaysia’s (and the world’s) beautifully colourful birds along the way.
Paul Hilder
Committee
Paul Hilder rekindled his childhood interest in birds on a trip to Bharatpur in India in the 1980s and birding has been part of his life ever since. He has lived, worked and travelled in many parts of the world, each with its own special birds. He has a particular fascination with cranes (perhaps stemming from the sight of a Siberian Crane on that first day in Bharatpur) and more recently with the ‘jewel-thrushes’ of South-East Asia, the pittas.
Paul has found the birding community in Malaysia to be remarkably welcoming and inclusive and is keen to do what he can to support the activities of the WBCM and the birds we all love.