May 26, 2010 15:56 PM
Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Agrobank has set up a RM67.7 million loan fund to finance swiftlets' bird nest-related industry whose export value is worth more than RM1 billion a year.
Managing Director Datuk Ahmad Said said the fund, launched on May 19, will enable 2,000 swiftlet enthusiasts to build low-cost swiftlets' farm homes costing between RM10,000 and RM30,000 each.
The loans will be disbursed at 3.75 per cent interest per annum, he said.
There was no special allocation made for the industry previously, he said.
The newly-created fund will help swiftlet farmers to venture into the lucrative industry, he told a media conference on the loan scheme for the swiftlet industry.
Ahmad said the fund was set up in line with the government's initiatives under the New Economic Model to increase the people's income from US$7,000 to US$15,000 a year.
Swiftlets' bird nest industry is among the high-impact industries being given emphasis by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry besides breeding freshwater arowana fish and growing seaweeds.
Agrobank, entrusted to develop the nation's agriculture industry, issued RM6.3 million in loans to 41 swiftlet farmers in the last two years, he added.
The swiftlet bird nest industry, which started with the migration of the bird species from Indonesia about 10 years ago, is booming at a rapid pace, with some 50,000 farm homes operating nationwide.
While unprocessed swiftlets' bird nests cost between RM3,000 and RM4,000 a kilogramme, processed ones can fetch up to RM12,000 a kilogramme.
The main markets are China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Swiftlet issue to Cabinet
Sunday May 23, 2010
The Star
SITIAWAN: Guidelines to regulate the country’s swiftlet farming industry will soon be tabled for approval at Cabinet.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said that the Swiftlet Industry Guidelines would cover all aspects of the sector, from licensing to exporting.
Kong, who is also Lumut MP, said that the guidelines would also cover downstream industries, restrictions against swiftlet farming in heritage buildings, hygiene and its impact on the public.
“We are finalising the details and they will be tabled soon,” Kong told reporters after handing out aid to his constituents here yesterday.
He said that the guidelines would be drawn up jointly by his ministry and the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and Natural Resources and Environment ministries, with input from both the Health and Information, Communication and Culture ministries.
Kong also said that all state authorities had been given the regulations to control local swiftlet farming while the guidelines were being drawn up.
“The local authorities have been given instructions on issuing licences to ‘swiftlet hotel’ operators.
“We have also given clear directives on how operators can install speakers to attract the birds and the volume of the sound permitted,” he said.
Kong added that operators should comply with the regulations.
Various groups had called for tighter controls of or even a ban on swiftlet farming in urban areas, citing health and environmental concerns.
The Star
SITIAWAN: Guidelines to regulate the country’s swiftlet farming industry will soon be tabled for approval at Cabinet.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said that the Swiftlet Industry Guidelines would cover all aspects of the sector, from licensing to exporting.
Kong, who is also Lumut MP, said that the guidelines would also cover downstream industries, restrictions against swiftlet farming in heritage buildings, hygiene and its impact on the public.
“We are finalising the details and they will be tabled soon,” Kong told reporters after handing out aid to his constituents here yesterday.
He said that the guidelines would be drawn up jointly by his ministry and the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and Natural Resources and Environment ministries, with input from both the Health and Information, Communication and Culture ministries.
Kong also said that all state authorities had been given the regulations to control local swiftlet farming while the guidelines were being drawn up.
“The local authorities have been given instructions on issuing licences to ‘swiftlet hotel’ operators.
“We have also given clear directives on how operators can install speakers to attract the birds and the volume of the sound permitted,” he said.
Kong added that operators should comply with the regulations.
Various groups had called for tighter controls of or even a ban on swiftlet farming in urban areas, citing health and environmental concerns.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Former tobacco growers urged to go into bird nest industry
Tuesday May 18, 2010
The Star
KUALA TERENGGANU: Former tobacco growers have been urged to venture into the bird nest industry as the returns are lucrative.
Terengganu Veterinary Services Department director Dr Azizul Mohd Sharom said they could turn the former smoking houses into homes for swiftlets.
“Several pilot projects involving former smoking houses in Besut and Marang have made high returns,” he said.
Dr Azizol said the former tobacco growers only need to spend RM20,000 each to renovate the former smoking houses.
The department would build a model swiftlet house costing RM10,000 at the Veterinary Training Centre in Cermin Kiri, Jerangau, Dungun. — Bernama
The Star
KUALA TERENGGANU: Former tobacco growers have been urged to venture into the bird nest industry as the returns are lucrative.
Terengganu Veterinary Services Department director Dr Azizul Mohd Sharom said they could turn the former smoking houses into homes for swiftlets.
“Several pilot projects involving former smoking houses in Besut and Marang have made high returns,” he said.
Dr Azizol said the former tobacco growers only need to spend RM20,000 each to renovate the former smoking houses.
The department would build a model swiftlet house costing RM10,000 at the Veterinary Training Centre in Cermin Kiri, Jerangau, Dungun. — Bernama
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Companies Commission forms special taskforce to fight crime
Wednesday May 12, 2010
The Star
By DANNY YAP
danny@thestar.com.my
Cabinet-directed move to build investor confidence
KUALA LUMPUR: The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has established a special taskforce that would collaborate with other government agencies to help fight against white collar crimes and build greater investor confidence, among locals and foreigners.
Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the two objectives were a directive from the Cabinet.
The special taskforce and working committee was established on March 9.
Ismail Sabri said: “I will be personally helming the taskforce,” he told reporters at the Business Ethics Dialogue yesterday.
He said the special taskforce and a working committee would be working closely with regulators including, Bank Negara, the Securities Commission, Bursa Malaysia and Bukit Aman police to look at companies (listed and unlisted) with “questionable” operations against the laws.
Ismail Sabri said SSM will be having regular meetings with the various regulators to look at individual corporate cases and their business ethics to decide collectively if any fraud or misconduct had occurred.
SSM chief executive officer Datuk Azmi Ariffin, who helms the working committee, said the new platform (special taskforce and a working committee) would enable decision making on corporate misconduct to be faster and brought to court to be charged, if required.
On the time frame, Azmi said it depended on individual cases but generally would be decided within three to six months.
On current cases, he said there were four cases under investigation and two have been brought to the court since the team was established.
One of the companies charged by the court was Red Cafe Franchise Sdn Bhd for fraudulently inducing people to invest RM1,040,400 in a programme called the “Island Red Cafe,” while the other company charged was for deposit taking in a swiftlet business scheme.
Another SSM director said several other cases, currently being investigated in Kedah and Penang involve tontine schemes that have collected in total RM33mil from 100,000 individuals.
The Star
By DANNY YAP
danny@thestar.com.my
Cabinet-directed move to build investor confidence
KUALA LUMPUR: The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has established a special taskforce that would collaborate with other government agencies to help fight against white collar crimes and build greater investor confidence, among locals and foreigners.
Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the two objectives were a directive from the Cabinet.
The special taskforce and working committee was established on March 9.
Ismail Sabri said: “I will be personally helming the taskforce,” he told reporters at the Business Ethics Dialogue yesterday.
He said the special taskforce and a working committee would be working closely with regulators including, Bank Negara, the Securities Commission, Bursa Malaysia and Bukit Aman police to look at companies (listed and unlisted) with “questionable” operations against the laws.
Ismail Sabri said SSM will be having regular meetings with the various regulators to look at individual corporate cases and their business ethics to decide collectively if any fraud or misconduct had occurred.
SSM chief executive officer Datuk Azmi Ariffin, who helms the working committee, said the new platform (special taskforce and a working committee) would enable decision making on corporate misconduct to be faster and brought to court to be charged, if required.
On the time frame, Azmi said it depended on individual cases but generally would be decided within three to six months.
On current cases, he said there were four cases under investigation and two have been brought to the court since the team was established.
One of the companies charged by the court was Red Cafe Franchise Sdn Bhd for fraudulently inducing people to invest RM1,040,400 in a programme called the “Island Red Cafe,” while the other company charged was for deposit taking in a swiftlet business scheme.
Another SSM director said several other cases, currently being investigated in Kedah and Penang involve tontine schemes that have collected in total RM33mil from 100,000 individuals.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Swiftlet farming firm raided
Tuesday May 11, 2010
The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: A swiftlet farming company in Kulim, Kedah, was raided by the Companies Commission of Malaysia for allegedly offering the public high investment returns in a swiftlet farming scheme.
The company has been claiming that it can offer investors up to 80% share of the sales proceeds if a person invested anything from RM4,000 to RM400,000.
The company’s modus operandi is to engage the public in a swiftlet farming investment scheme, the commission said in a statement.
The commission is investigating the company under Section 84(1) and Section 91(1) of the Companies Act, for allegedly running an investment scheme without the prior approval of the Registrar of Companies.
“We will continue to monitor all companies offering interest schemes to the public to protect the interest of the people,” the statement added
The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: A swiftlet farming company in Kulim, Kedah, was raided by the Companies Commission of Malaysia for allegedly offering the public high investment returns in a swiftlet farming scheme.
The company has been claiming that it can offer investors up to 80% share of the sales proceeds if a person invested anything from RM4,000 to RM400,000.
The company’s modus operandi is to engage the public in a swiftlet farming investment scheme, the commission said in a statement.
The commission is investigating the company under Section 84(1) and Section 91(1) of the Companies Act, for allegedly running an investment scheme without the prior approval of the Registrar of Companies.
“We will continue to monitor all companies offering interest schemes to the public to protect the interest of the people,” the statement added
Friday, May 7, 2010
Retiree opens bird’s nest shop
Friday May 7, 2010
The Star
By SIMON KHOO
simonkhoo@thestar.com.my
KUANTAN: At first glance, the Natural Bird Nest Supplies in Jalan Merdeka here appears to be a shop catering to the rich.
“That is not so,” said proprietor Tan Ai King, who has been working hard to convince the average white collar worker to step in and try her specialities.
The shop sells stewed bird’s nest and packed products.
“All our products are 100% pure with no chemicals or artificial sweetening added to enhance the taste.
“We get our supply of bird’s nest from our own swiftlet farms located in Pekan, Maran, Indera Mahkota and Inderapura.
“As such, we can charge a lower price than the actual market cost of a kilogramme of raw bird’s nest which is about RM5,000,” she said.
Plenty of choices: Tan (left) showing some of her products to a customer.
She said she had a steady number of regular customers since her store opened in the middle of last year.
She said her aim was to get more local folks as well as visitors from other states to try her specialities, including several types of desserts.
“I prepare the desserts with the help of six workers. I am a retiree and doing this for the love of food.
“My youngest son Lawrence Hoo is also helping me out at the store,” she said, adding that her husband Hoo Kat Lee was managing the swiftlet farms and providing consultancy services in swiftlet farming.
Tan said she started the business from her home in Bukit Sekilau about five years ago and decided to expand by opening a shop.
“There is a market because people are more conscious about their health.
“There were about three or four outlets in Kuantan previously but all had closed down as the owners could not sustain operations due to the high cost involved,” she said.
She said many of her customers were not rich people but appreciated the product, including people from the neighbouring states of Terengganu and Kelantan.
“I also have customers from China and Singapore who were told by their fellow countrymen to drop by our shop if they were holidaying in Kuantan.
“A bowl of bird’s nest soup at our shop starts from RM35 for one person to RM130 for three to four people,” she said, adding that customers would have to wait half-an-hour for the order.
Tan said some even placed bulk orders for 20 people.
For more information, call 09-514 1288 or 012-908 2299.
The Star
By SIMON KHOO
simonkhoo@thestar.com.my
KUANTAN: At first glance, the Natural Bird Nest Supplies in Jalan Merdeka here appears to be a shop catering to the rich.
“That is not so,” said proprietor Tan Ai King, who has been working hard to convince the average white collar worker to step in and try her specialities.
The shop sells stewed bird’s nest and packed products.
“All our products are 100% pure with no chemicals or artificial sweetening added to enhance the taste.
“We get our supply of bird’s nest from our own swiftlet farms located in Pekan, Maran, Indera Mahkota and Inderapura.
“As such, we can charge a lower price than the actual market cost of a kilogramme of raw bird’s nest which is about RM5,000,” she said.
Plenty of choices: Tan (left) showing some of her products to a customer.
She said she had a steady number of regular customers since her store opened in the middle of last year.
She said her aim was to get more local folks as well as visitors from other states to try her specialities, including several types of desserts.
“I prepare the desserts with the help of six workers. I am a retiree and doing this for the love of food.
“My youngest son Lawrence Hoo is also helping me out at the store,” she said, adding that her husband Hoo Kat Lee was managing the swiftlet farms and providing consultancy services in swiftlet farming.
Tan said she started the business from her home in Bukit Sekilau about five years ago and decided to expand by opening a shop.
“There is a market because people are more conscious about their health.
“There were about three or four outlets in Kuantan previously but all had closed down as the owners could not sustain operations due to the high cost involved,” she said.
She said many of her customers were not rich people but appreciated the product, including people from the neighbouring states of Terengganu and Kelantan.
“I also have customers from China and Singapore who were told by their fellow countrymen to drop by our shop if they were holidaying in Kuantan.
“A bowl of bird’s nest soup at our shop starts from RM35 for one person to RM130 for three to four people,” she said, adding that customers would have to wait half-an-hour for the order.
Tan said some even placed bulk orders for 20 people.
For more information, call 09-514 1288 or 012-908 2299.
No reason to ban swiftlet farming
Friday May 7, 2010
The Star
I REFER to the letter “Ban all swiftlet farming activities” (The Star May 5).
The writer’s concern for the welfare of the birds and his call to allow them to live in their natural habitat are laudable. However, I do not think swiftlet farming is cruel to the birds.
It is true that swiftlet farmers set up houses to lure the swiftlets to nest inside. But it must be remembered that if the house does not meet the swiftlet’s “taste”, it will not stay. That’s why the success rate of swiftlet farming is low at only about 30%.
Now, if the swiftlet stays, it means as far as that swiftlet is concerned, it is its natural habitat. We must not forget that the swiftlets migrated here from Indonesia because their natural habitat was affected by open burning.
A farmer cannot compel the swiftlet to come, neither can he compel the swiftlet to stay. All he does is to get ready a place and hope the swiftlets like it. The swiftlets come and go as they like; they leave in the morning to hunt for food, and come back in the evening – if they want to.
Personally, I think swiftlet farming is more humane than chicken farming. The chicken layers are kept in cages with the sole purpose of laying eggs for human consumption, without once seeing any of the eggs hatch. And when their job is done, they are sent to the factories to be processed for meat!
As far as harvesting of nests is concerned, the farmer knows that his long-term profit depends on the multiplication of the birds. It is suicidal to harvest the nests before the fledglings are mature. Of course, there are some dumb ones but they are the exception rather than the rule.
As for the noise from the speakers, I would rather listen to the chirping of the birds than the deafening music from some shops and the roaring traffic.
What about hygiene? A knowledgeable writer to this column had earlier explained that these birds have very clean habits – they only do their “business” inside the house. So one does not need to worry that they will drop anything on one’s head. Also, they do not hang around food outlets, unlike crows.
I am not a swiftlet farmer. But I know of a small town where, for generations, many of the town people made a living by operating small provision shops. Then the town was invaded by supermarkets which sold items below the cost price of the small traders. Within a short time, some of them were reduced to poverty level. Swiftlet farming threw them a life line.
It is for this reason that I think the call to ban all swiftlet farming activities is inconsiderate. Most of the nests are exported, earning the nation valuable foreign exchange. Swiftlet farming helps both the farmers and the nation. I appeal to the Government to do all it can to help the farmers.
HUMANE,
Klang.
The Star
I REFER to the letter “Ban all swiftlet farming activities” (The Star May 5).
The writer’s concern for the welfare of the birds and his call to allow them to live in their natural habitat are laudable. However, I do not think swiftlet farming is cruel to the birds.
It is true that swiftlet farmers set up houses to lure the swiftlets to nest inside. But it must be remembered that if the house does not meet the swiftlet’s “taste”, it will not stay. That’s why the success rate of swiftlet farming is low at only about 30%.
Now, if the swiftlet stays, it means as far as that swiftlet is concerned, it is its natural habitat. We must not forget that the swiftlets migrated here from Indonesia because their natural habitat was affected by open burning.
A farmer cannot compel the swiftlet to come, neither can he compel the swiftlet to stay. All he does is to get ready a place and hope the swiftlets like it. The swiftlets come and go as they like; they leave in the morning to hunt for food, and come back in the evening – if they want to.
Personally, I think swiftlet farming is more humane than chicken farming. The chicken layers are kept in cages with the sole purpose of laying eggs for human consumption, without once seeing any of the eggs hatch. And when their job is done, they are sent to the factories to be processed for meat!
As far as harvesting of nests is concerned, the farmer knows that his long-term profit depends on the multiplication of the birds. It is suicidal to harvest the nests before the fledglings are mature. Of course, there are some dumb ones but they are the exception rather than the rule.
As for the noise from the speakers, I would rather listen to the chirping of the birds than the deafening music from some shops and the roaring traffic.
What about hygiene? A knowledgeable writer to this column had earlier explained that these birds have very clean habits – they only do their “business” inside the house. So one does not need to worry that they will drop anything on one’s head. Also, they do not hang around food outlets, unlike crows.
I am not a swiftlet farmer. But I know of a small town where, for generations, many of the town people made a living by operating small provision shops. Then the town was invaded by supermarkets which sold items below the cost price of the small traders. Within a short time, some of them were reduced to poverty level. Swiftlet farming threw them a life line.
It is for this reason that I think the call to ban all swiftlet farming activities is inconsiderate. Most of the nests are exported, earning the nation valuable foreign exchange. Swiftlet farming helps both the farmers and the nation. I appeal to the Government to do all it can to help the farmers.
HUMANE,
Klang.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Ban all swiftlet farming activities
Wednesday May 5, 2010
The Star
SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) refers to the proposed move by the Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow to move swiftlet breeding activities out of the urban areas.
The problem of swiftlet farming in urban areas has been happening for a long time. However, the problem lies not with the birds but with people when they convert buildings in urban areas into swiftlet farms to harvest the nests. The main issue affecting swiftlet farming operators in the various states is a combination of big profits and a lack of legislation governing the industry, which has seen countless swiftlet farms established illegally in populated areas.
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. Speakers are installed to broadcast bird calls which help lure the swiftlets into the buildings to set up nests.
This has raised the ire of residents affected by the loud noise while the setting up of swiftlet farms in towns may also disrupt business, particularly those in the food business.
Many of these illegal farm operators, in a rush to make a fortune from the swifltet nests, often neglect the welfare and well-being of the birds. Due to their slow breeding cycle, edible nest swiftlets take about one month to build their nests and six weeks for their eggs to hatch.
Some impatient swiftlet farmers may not wait that long and they remove the nests even before the laying and hatching of eggs, or for the fledglings to mature. Causing unnecessary pain, stress or distress to the birds is an offence under the Animal Act 2006. There is hardly any monitoring of the activities of bird nest collectors by either the Veterinary Services department or the Wildlife Department, so how could these two departments ensure that harvesting is done without disturbances to the birds and their young? Moreover, since many are operating without licences, it is difficult to monitor their practices.
Monitoring and inspections are crucial to ensure that taking of nests are done without causing harm to the birds, their eggs and young. Many of these ignorant and irresponsible farmers may not conform to good farming practices to ensure that birds are not deprived of the basic necessities or subjected to cruelty or abuse and mishandling.
In view of all these concerns, SAM reiterates its stand for a ban on swiftlet farming activities and to allow the birds to live in their natural habitat.
SM MOHD IDRIS,
President, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Penang.
The Star
SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) refers to the proposed move by the Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow to move swiftlet breeding activities out of the urban areas.
The problem of swiftlet farming in urban areas has been happening for a long time. However, the problem lies not with the birds but with people when they convert buildings in urban areas into swiftlet farms to harvest the nests. The main issue affecting swiftlet farming operators in the various states is a combination of big profits and a lack of legislation governing the industry, which has seen countless swiftlet farms established illegally in populated areas.
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. Speakers are installed to broadcast bird calls which help lure the swiftlets into the buildings to set up nests.
This has raised the ire of residents affected by the loud noise while the setting up of swiftlet farms in towns may also disrupt business, particularly those in the food business.
Many of these illegal farm operators, in a rush to make a fortune from the swifltet nests, often neglect the welfare and well-being of the birds. Due to their slow breeding cycle, edible nest swiftlets take about one month to build their nests and six weeks for their eggs to hatch.
Some impatient swiftlet farmers may not wait that long and they remove the nests even before the laying and hatching of eggs, or for the fledglings to mature. Causing unnecessary pain, stress or distress to the birds is an offence under the Animal Act 2006. There is hardly any monitoring of the activities of bird nest collectors by either the Veterinary Services department or the Wildlife Department, so how could these two departments ensure that harvesting is done without disturbances to the birds and their young? Moreover, since many are operating without licences, it is difficult to monitor their practices.
Monitoring and inspections are crucial to ensure that taking of nests are done without causing harm to the birds, their eggs and young. Many of these ignorant and irresponsible farmers may not conform to good farming practices to ensure that birds are not deprived of the basic necessities or subjected to cruelty or abuse and mishandling.
In view of all these concerns, SAM reiterates its stand for a ban on swiftlet farming activities and to allow the birds to live in their natural habitat.
SM MOHD IDRIS,
President, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Penang.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Legalise swiftlet farming, Pahang govt urged
Tuesday May 4, 2010
The Star
Chang Hong Seong (BN - Teruntum) brought up the issue of swiftlet rearing which had yet to be fully licensed despite the state government introducing and approving standard guidelines for the industry in 2007.
“I was informed that only 739 licences had been issued. There are some 3,000 proprietors of swiftlet farms, meaning most of them are running the business without a licence.
“This is a growing industry and Malaysia is third largest exporter after Indonesia and Thailand, with the value estimated at between RM8bil and RM12bil a year,” he said, adding that it was high time the state government legalised the industry by putting it under the purview of local councils.
The Star
Chang Hong Seong (BN - Teruntum) brought up the issue of swiftlet rearing which had yet to be fully licensed despite the state government introducing and approving standard guidelines for the industry in 2007.
“I was informed that only 739 licences had been issued. There are some 3,000 proprietors of swiftlet farms, meaning most of them are running the business without a licence.
“This is a growing industry and Malaysia is third largest exporter after Indonesia and Thailand, with the value estimated at between RM8bil and RM12bil a year,” he said, adding that it was high time the state government legalised the industry by putting it under the purview of local councils.
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