Borneo Resources in RM40mil swiflet eco-park JV

Tuesday January 26, 2010
The Star
By JACK WONG

KUCHING: Sarawak State Economic Development Corp (SSEDC) and Peninsular Malaysia-based Borneo Resources Synergy Sdn Bhd (BRS) have agreed to jointly develop a RM40mil swiftlet eco-park in Balingian, Mukah Division within the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy.

BRS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of property development and investment firm Masmeyer Holdings Sdn Bhd, has a 80% stake in the joint venture. SSEDC holds the balance 20%.

Sited in a rural setting along the Mukah-Balingian coastal highway, the project will involve the development of 40 three-storey units and 15 three-storey bungalow units.

“The project is targeted to be completed not later than 2012. Ideally, it is to be ready this year,” BRS director Choo Beng Kai said after the joint venture agreement signing ceremony. Golden Swift Resources Sdn Bhd, a swiftlet farming expert, has been engaged to provide technical expertise to the project.

SSEDC was tasked by the state government to spearhead the development of swiftlet farming on a well-planned, sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

The state authorities recently took action against hundreds of unlicensed swiftlet operators who used shophouses in town for swiftlet farming. The proposed park will provide an alternative venue for swiftlet farmers asked by the state government to shift their operations to approved sites.

Newly appointed Sarawak Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who witnessed the ceremony, said the development of the proposed park was to ensure an orderly development of the lucrative swiftlet farming industry.

Talib, who was former SSEDC chairman, said SSEDC planned to develop similar swiftlet eco-parks in other parts of the state.

“We (SSEDC) are looking to bring in more joint venture partners in similar projects.” He said SSEDC-BRS would process and market the bird’s nests the joint-venture company produced. A kg of unprocessed bird’s nest now fetches about RM4,250.

Talib said Sarawak was well-known for its high quality bird’s nest, adding that this was evident as the early traders from China had come to Sarawak to buy bird’s nests.

Lucrative but risky business

Wednesday January 13, 2010
The Star
By ANN TAN


THE bird nest industry may be booming within the George Town heritage enclave but it is still a trade secret among breeders.

Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) president Carole Loh said there was no right formula in attracting the swiftlets and those who had found the technique would usually not teach others.


Loh looking up at the birds nests in one of the swiftlet houses in George Town.

“The business may look good on paper. It may bring high returns but it is a risky investment as the success rate is only 20% to 30%.

“To invest and buy a bird house, one has to obtain a bank loan as it involves a huge investment. Then, one may have to wait for up to three years before one can get some returns. So within this period, there is no income,” she said.

Loh said there were many cases where swiftlets had failed “set up shop” and the investors were forced to shut down because they were unable to service their bank loans.

“Swiftlets lay eggs three times a year and two eggs at a time. It takes between 30 and 45 days for them to build the nest and another 45 days for the chicks to mature,” she said.


A baby swiftlet in its nest.

“Prior to harvesting, the breeders must ensure that there are no eggs or chicks in it for them to have a chance to grow.

“The harvested bird nests are then soaked in water for it to expand so that the feathers and dirt could be separated. This is usually done by a middle man who would then sell the nutritious product to others.”

Eating the swiftlet’s nest is believed to help maintain skin tone, balance qi (life energy) and reinforce the immune system.

It is also believed to strengthen the lungs and prevent coughs, improve the constitution and prolong life.

Commenting on claims that the industry is health hazard and a threat to heritage, Loh said it was not justified to focus on a few errant swiftlet breeders.

“It has been estimated that at least 8.3% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings have been re-stored and rehabilitated by bird nest breeders.


Swiftlets flying to their nests on the ceiling beams.

“There are many swiftlet houses in pre-war buildings which have been beautifully restored in keeping with its heritage features,” she said.

A recent visit by The Star to the swiftlets’ breeding ground saw the houses well renovated and maintained. There was also no stagnant water in the premises as breeders used humidifier machines to control the humidity.

“Heritage has to be sustainable. It is not enough to have a heritage status if there are no businesses that will bring the right level of income to support and sustain heritage development,” she said.

On the matter of breeders using tweeters to attract the birds to the houses, Loh said the state government could come out with a directive to limit the decibel so that it would not disturb the neighbours.

“And the droppings that we see outside are actually that of the pigeons’ as swiftlets are very parti-cular and they only release their droppings in the house.

“The breeders clean the bird houses weekly as the swiftlets like a clean premises. The Health Department could issue breeders with a health certificate which can be revoked if the cleanliness is not maintained,” she said.

Terengganu to develop swiftlet industry

Wednesday January 13, 2010
The Star


KUALA TERENGGANU: The Tereng-ganu Veterinary Services Department will develop the swiftlet industry as an additional means of raising income especially for Malays.

Department director Dr Azizol Mohd Sharun said the number of Malays in this industry was low.

“In Terengganu, Malays make up only 21% of entrepreneurs in the swiftlet industry. We would like to encourage them and help more of them get involved in the industry,” he said.

The department would request RM300,000 in aid from the state, and include the poor in swiftlet farming projects, he added.

He said the department might also provide infrastructure such as bird houses estimated to cost between RM15,000 and RM100,000 each.

The initial harvest could bring in between RM400 and RM500, he added. — Bernama