No new permits for swiftlet breeding in Kajang

Friday December 31, 2010
The Star
By OH ING YEEN
ingyeen@thestar.com.my


THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) will not approve new applications for swiftlet breeding in commercial and residential areas until the Selangor government’s guidelines are drawn out, council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said.

Councillor S.T. Chandramohan added that no action would be taken against existing swiftlet breeders.

“However, under the council’s Street, Drainage and Building Act, breeding of animals is not allowed in commercial and residential areas.

“Under the same Act, swiftlet breeders in commercial and residential areas are also at fault for the misuse of premises,” Chandramohan said.

On the issue on under-performing contractors, he said although a contractor is blacklisted, he might apply for jobs through another company.

“The council’s new policy is that when a particular contractor does not perform, he should not be given new projects,” he said.

It was also highlighted at the meeting that a stop-work order was issued to the owner of the Hulu Langat MCA branch building.

“We received complaints that illegal extensions were built and the council’s building unit have verified this. They applied for a fourth floor to be added and it was rejected for several reasons but they continued building it. They will have to demolish it,” Chandramohan said.

He added that until now the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has yet to approve the building plans as this did not follow requirements.

“DID advised them to strengthen the river banks but instead of doing that, one part of the wall has encroached the river.”

Kajang assemblyman Lee Kim Sin added that this affected the river flow.

Chandramohan also pointed out that a stop-work order was issued earlier because they had built a substation in the car park.

Meanwhile, in response to the state’s decision to ban the 1Malaysia logo, the council is covering those found at bus stops in the municipality.

“We will place bus schedules over the logo,” Hassan Nawawi said.

It was also announced at the meeting that upgrading work for 96 bus stops have been completed.

Funds for the project amounting to RM2.3mil were allocated by the Federal Government.

Temporary licences for swiftlet farms

Wednesday December 22, 2010
The Star
By ELAN PERUMAL
elan@thestar.com.my


OPERATORS of swiftlet farms in Selangor have been asked to apply for temporary licences from their respective local authorities.

The Selangor Government has decided to legalise swiftlet farms in a temporary move while awaiting the standard guidelines to be ready.

State local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu said they were finalising the details of the licensing conditions.

He said the standard guidelines would be ready in six months.

He added that the move was necessary for the local authorities to collect licensing fee from the operators.

“The swiftlet operators have been operating farms without paying any form of licensing fees and this has resulted in a loss of income for the local authorities.

“Now, the local authorities will be able to get some revenue from the swiflet breeders.

“We are also working closely with the Veterinary Department on the details of the licensing conditions,’’ he said.

Liu said applications from those operating at high-density areas, including towns, would not be entertained.

“However, consideration will be given to those who are operating at remote areas,’’ he said.