The Star Online – Jan 12 4:00 PM
By CHRISTINA KOH
IPOH: Bird’s nest farmers in Perak have until the end of March to apply for business licences.
State Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Chang Ko Youn warned that those who failed to do so would have their operations shut down.
“Anyone who had made unauthorised structural renovations to their premises must also submit the building plan to the local council for approval,” Chang told newsmen after giving out Chinese New Year goodies and ang pow sponsored by Sports Toto Malaysia to 650 senior citizens yesterday.
There are about 1,500 bird’s nest farmers in the state, mostly in Hilir Perak, Manjung, Kerian and Larut Matang.
Chang said the licences would cost between RM150 and RM500, pending amendment to the local council by-laws.
He said certain councils had proposed charging a rate according to the size of the premises, for example a RM240 annual fee for anything smaller than 130 sq m.
He also reminded operators that the councils would not approve breeding premises in residential areas.
