.jphpk.gov.my
By WILSON HENRY
IT is no problem when swiftlets build their nests in the caves of Sarawak or other places, but when they build their nests in buildings in town, it is.
Actually, the problem is not with the birds but with the people who convert buildings in urban areas into swiftlet “farms” to harvest the nests.
Local authority guidelines do not provide for structures in urban centres to be converted into swiftlet houses.
It’s the same as wanting to operate a chicken farm next to your house or office. You will not get a licence from the local authority for the farm.
But it is only with this local authority licence can the swiflet farm operators apply for other permits issued by Perhilitan, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
The Perhilitan permits are for harvesting, and to trade and import or export bird’s nests.
“Before we issue any permit, we need to make sure that they have a licence to use their premises for the purpose from the local authority”, explains Misliah Mohamad Basir, director of Perhilitan’s law enforcement division.
And she makes a stunning revelation: Perhilitan has not issued any licence to traders since 2003 which can only mean that some 10,000 swiftlet nest farmers are currently operating illegally.
It is no easy task obtaining a local authority licence. Among the laws and regulations to adhere to are the Uniform Building By-Laws 1986, the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act 1975, and Health Department regulations as well as local town council guidelines.
“Bird’s nest traders have to apply for permits from several departments before they can operate swiftlet nesting houses”, says Misliah.
“It is not to say that swiftlet nest farmers have not applied for our permits. They have, but we can’t issue our permits until they can get a licence for their premises from the local authorities”.
However, Hajah Norizam, chief clerk at the Selayang Town Council’s Licensing Department, said her office has not received a single application for a licence to operate a bird’s nest farm, although Rawang, which is in the Selayang district, has a number of buildings converted into swiftlet “farms”.
Swiftlet “farms” have sprouted in small towns such as Nibong Tebal in Penang, and Sitiawan and Taiping in Perak. Various towns in other states like Malacca, Johor and Terengganu also host such operations.
Swiftlet farmers simulate the conditions of a cave in their buildings by installing humidifiers and boarding up vents and windows, leaving only small holes for the swiftlets to enter and exit.
This alone must be in contravention of local regulations, and Misliah said: “We do get complaints from people living near swiftlet farms about noise levels and about cleanliness”.
