Eye on swiftlet breeding premises

Friday January 21, 2011
The Star


LABIS: Swiftlet breeding premises must have a computer chip detailing their locations so that the authorities can identify them if the public lodges complaints about noise and health pollution.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong said the tracking system, which was imposed following the introduction of the National Swift­let Industry Guidelines approved by the Cabinet recently, would enable the ministry to track them via GPS (global positioning system).

“It will be difficult to locate the premises if the chip is not installed because many do not have details of their addresses, including road names.

“The ministry has received many complaints from the public.

“They are worried about the impact of these premises on their health.

“Such places can create environment and noise pollution, too,” he said after closing a swiftlet industry seminar yesterday.

Chua said swiftlet breeders in Negri Sembilan had started to install the chip and he hoped all industry members would follow suit in the next three years.

“Malaysia’s current export of bird’s nest is expected to reach RM5bil by 2020 and it is important that the industry be regulated to meet all the requirements to allow healthy growth,” he added.

Chua said swiftlet operators must also seek certification from the Veterinary Services Depart­ment before they could export their produce.

He added that China, one of the largest importers of bird’s nest from Malaysia, wanted regulations to be in place to ensure proper product quality control was maintained.

Chua said the guidelines also covered other aspects like the location of premises, processing of bird’s nest, importing and exporting procedures, and the creation of environment-friendly premises.

Sarawakians going into swiftlet farming in a big way

Monday January 17, 2011
The Star
By JACK WONG
jackwong@thestar.com.my


KUCHING: Sarawakians are flocking to the lucrative swiftlet farming business as more and more bird houses are being set up in the state.

Sarawak Bird's Nest Suppliers Association secretary Colin Wong Chung Onn said there was an estimated 5,000 swiftlet houses statewide with many more under construction.

“The number of swiftlet houses has more than doubled compared with a year ago,” he told StarBiz.

About 60% of these houses are found in the Mukah and Sarikei divisions in central Sarawak mostly along the coastal areas.


Unprocessed swiftlet nests have a market price of between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per kg compared with at least RM7,000 per kg for processed nests.


Unlike Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak is a late starter in commercial swiftlet farming.

It is learnt that the state authorities, in consultation with the industry players, are drafting comprehensive guidelines to regulate the development of the industry.

Acting on environmental and health concerns, the state authorities had investigated more than 400 illegal farms last year, said Sarawak Assistant Minister for Planning and Resource Management Naroden Majais.

He said the construction of swiftlet farms was being closely monitored to prevent illegal operations.

Naroden said two licences were needed for commercial swiftlet farming - one to construct the building for the swiftlets to nest and the second for the rearing of the birds.

Some 250 licences to construct buildings and a handful to rear the birds have been approved.

Wong said big-time investors were constructing double or three-storey concrete shophouses to rear the swiftlets while the smaller ones, like farmers and fishermen, were building wooden houses.

Unoccupied or under-utilised shophouses and residential houses have been converted into swiftlet farms.

He said it would cost about RM400,000 (excluding land), to build a three-storey shophouse (36ft x 76ft) for swiftlet farming.

Sarawak's first swiftlet eco-park, a RM40mil joint-venture between state Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and Borneo Resources Synergy Sdn Bhd is expected to be ready in Balingian, Mukah division within the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy by next year.

The park will have 40 three-storey units and 15 three-storey bungalow units.

The SEDC has been tasked by the Sarawak government to spearhead the development of swiftlet farming on a well-planned, sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

Similar eco-parks have been planned for other parts of the state.

Wong said some pioneer swiftlet houses in Paloh, Mukah division could each produce up to 3kg of swiftlet nests a month.

“Unprocessed swiftlet nests fetch a market price of between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per kg compared with at least RM7,000 per kg for the processed nests.”

Some of the raw nests are being sold by middlemen to Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

He said based on a conservative estimate of the 5,000 bird houses producing an average 0.5kg of nests a month, this would mean a yearly production of 3,000kg. At an average market price of RM3,500 per kg, it would generate RM10.5mil per annum for the Sarawak economy.

Sarawak's production of swiftlet nests, Naroden said was 2,854kg last year, up from 2,095kg in 2008.

For the first 10 months of last year, 1,757kg valued at RM7mil were produced.

Naroden said China was the biggest market for edible swiftlet nests, followed by Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia.

Wong said the production of swiftlet nests from caves, like Niah Cave in Miri, had been on the decline over the years because of over-harvesting.

Although swiftlet farming is potentially lucrative, he said there were investors who had not been successful in their ventures due to several factors.

“Choosing the right location to site the swiftlet houses is vital, otherwise it will take a longer time to attract the birds.

“Other important factors are the design and conditions, like temperature and humidity, of the houses,” he added.

According to an investor, the returns from successful swiftlet farming was comparatively higher than most businesses.

He said a two-storey swiftlet house (20ft x 60ft which costs between RM250,000 and RM300,000 to build) could produce between 36kg and 48kg of nests a year (worth between RM144,000 and RM192,000 based on RM4,000 per kg) from the fourth year of operation.

“Once in operation,it will take at least 18 months for the first collection of the nests. Production will gradually increase with more swiftlets nesting,” he added.
For the most successful operator, it would take about five years to fully recover the costs to build the swiftlet houses and related facilities, adding that from then on, the profits would be high.

No room for swiftlets

Noise is certainly the main complain from irated residents nearby. Mindless and selfish birdhouse owners are to be blamed. This is a problem that is easy to resolve. The swiftlet association cah work closely with the councils to make swiftlet house owners comply or face being closed down permanently. When will these stupid swiftlet house owner ever learn?

Jackie

*******************************************************************************

Thursday August 26, 2010
The Star


WE REFER to the report “Group mulls legal action against Penang govt” (The Star, Aug 24) and wish to express our support for the state government’s initiative to move swiftlet farming away from the city.

My family stays in George Town. About seven years ago, someone set up a swiftlet farm two units away from our pre-war house. Later, several popped up in the vicinity as well and since then, we have to endure the ceaseless noise from the artificial bird sounds broadcast throughout most of the day.

This has severely affected our quality of life. On weekends, when we look forward to just relaxing at home, we have to put up with the aural assault.

The farm owners claim that the noise levels are within approved limits even though to us, it certainly doesn’t sound like it. Please imagine listening to your favourite piece of music, can you tolerate listening to it non-stop for hours, days and months? What more if it is high-pitched shrills.

Research has shown that prolonged and continuous exposure to unwanted noise can have a detrimental effect on one’s stress levels and mental health.

Most of these farm owners don’t stay in or even near the farms they own, yet they have no feelings that their actions are affecting dozens of households. There is an irony here as well. If claims by the Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry (ASNI) that the success rate of swiftlet farming is just 30% are true, that would mean the people living near the other 70% of swiftlet farms are suffering for nothing!

Now we have farm owners like ASNI Penang president threatening to sue the Penang government if they are evicted. But what about the suffering neighbours? Can we sue the swiftlet farm owners for creating a public nuisance?

Dr Kenneth Khoo talks about the 2005 guidelines like it was something set in stone and can never be changed. Many things have changed since. George Town has been granted heritage status, investors both local and abroad have been buying up pre-war buildings and conservation and renovation projects have picked up pace all over the city. With this, businesses and residents will slowly but surely return. George Town has the ability to become a choice destination again.

Swiftlet farm owners in the town area should look beyond their own self-interest. If they are allowed to continue operating, what is there to stop anyone else from setting up another farm? Do you want to see the beautiful George Town turned into a hollowed out city like some smaller towns in Malaysia where most of the residents are swiftlets?

Furthermore, the state government is not even talking about banning swiftlet farming in the state, it is merely trying to move it to a more appropriate area where disturbance to the general public can be minimised.

ELISE LEE,
George Town.

National guidelines not swift in coming

Tuesday July 27, 2010
The Star


PENANG will seek the input from stakeholders once it gets hold of the National Guidelines For Swiftlet Breeding which was passed in Cabinet about two weeks ago.

State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state was given a briefing by National Veterinary Department representatives prior to the passing of the new guidelines but “without much details”.

“Our officer have been requesting for the new guidelines these past two weeks but to date, we have yet to receive a copy.

“During the briefing, we also expressed our dismay that the consultation for the guidelines did not involve any heritage NGOs or World Heritage Office representatives.

“Those consulted were mainly swiftlets’ industry players,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Chow added that the industry players’ main focus is on the monetary side even though they claimed that by turning old houses into a bird house, they are doing heritage protection a service.

“But the bird houses make it a challenge for people to live, at times forcing the neighbours to move, and thus affect the living heritage aspect,” he said.

It was reported that at least 8% out of an estimated 3,500 abandoned pre-war buildings in inner George Town have been restored and rehabilitated by bird nest breeders.

Penang Heritage Trust council member Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson said the health and safety issues are among the main concerns.

“Imagine the pollution from noise and bird droppings. It is in the state’s hands to make a policy and set a guideline on swiftlet houses.”

Association of Swiftlet Nests Industry president Carole Loh had said that the droppings outside belonged to pigeons, adding that swiftlets are very particular and only release their droppings in the house.

She had also suggested that the state Health Department issue breeders with a health certificate which can be revoked if the cleanliness is not maintained.

Not so chirpy residents - Country Heights BirdHouse

By PRIYA MENON
priya@thestar.com.my Photo by M. AZHAR | Jul 2, 2010


Massive: The three-storey structure built on a hill next to Country Heights Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
RESIDENTS of Country Heights Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, are resenting the bird calls they hear every day and night from an illegal bird nest building next door.

The massive three-storey structure built on a hill near the posh neighbourhood has been there for more than six months and attracts a large number of swiftlets into the building.

At first, residents were puzzled by the constant noise from the jungle that never ceased until they discovered the activity.

“We were surprised that the jungle was so noisy, then we found out that an electronic musical sound mimicking birds had been placed inside the building to attract the swiftlets,” said Pete Meehan.

He added that people bought the RM8mil to RM10mil homes to enjoy peace and quiet only to be disturbed by the sound of birds.

According to another resident, Ang Kim Jhew, they have made at least six complaints to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) since April.

“We were later told the problem is under the Department of Environment (DoE) and we complained to them as well. DoE later sent a letter to the DBKL supporting our complaint,” added Ang.

However, no action has been taken so far. They are also worried about environmental issues, including the droppings.

The residents contacted Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng to help them in their task.

“I have checked with the DBKL and they told me that there has been no permit for bird’s nest harvesting in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.


Lim and StarMetro visited the site and found another structure being built.

When asked, the Indonesian workers who declined to be named, said the new structure was a section of rooms to be rented out.

The bird’s nest building was also locked and the workers said they did not have the keys to the building.

“We have not harvested the nests yet but there have been many birds coming and in out of the building,” said the worker.

Lim said he would lodge an official statement with the DBKL on behalf of the residents and would give the council two weeks to resolve the problem.

“I will ask that the man running the business be served a notice to close down the place and if the structure is illegal the owner will have to tear that down as well,” he added.

When contacted, DBKL’s corporate communications unit said they were aware of the problem and that the structure was illegal as it was built without a development order.

DBKL confirmed it will be taking action against the businessman as soon as possible.

The man, who did not want to be named, refused to talk to the press.

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.

Cabinet to look into bird’s nest guideline

Friday February 19, 2010
The Star


KUALA LUMPUR: The Swiftlet Industry Guideline, expected to be presented to the Cabinet next week, will give the industry a much-needed framework to operate in a sustainable manner.

The guideline, if accepted, will put Malaysia ahead of leading bird’s nest producers like Indonesia and Thailand.

“It will be the first swiftlet industry guideline in the world,” said Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin.

The swiftlet industry is worth RM1.5bil annually.

The guideline, he added, would provide the framework to supervise the industry in a holistic way, including in terms of licensing, sampling, production and export of swiftlet bird’s nest abroad, particularly to China.

Dr Aziz said the guideline had the full support of the Health, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, and the Housing and Local Government ministries.

The speed at which the industry grew over the last few years has resulted in a major dilemma over the licensing of swiftlet-rearing premises in shophouses, due to the health risk, smell and noise.

Federation of Swiftlet Nest Merchants Association chairman Datuk Beh Heng Seong said the guideline would resolve the problem as owners of premises would have to agree with the conditions if they wanted to remain in business.

“It will become a standard for all local authorities,” he said.

Malaysia has about 50,000 swiftlet premises producing over 12 tonnes of bird’s nest monthly.

One kilogram of bird’s nest can fetch RM4,000. – Bernama

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.

Swiftlets part of inner city’s heritage, say breeders

Sunday December 27, 2009
The Star


GEORGE TOWN: Swiftlets have been part of inner George Town even before the area was granted Unesco World Heritage status, according to Association of Swiftlet Nest Industry (ASNI) president Carole Loh.

“These birds are Penang’s ‘living heritage’, and the fact that George Town was granted the status despite their existence means they have no impact on Unesco’s decision,

“It is not fair for the state government to force the breeders to move when they were permitted to operate under the 2005 guidelines for the Application of Licence for Birds Nest Industry, Penang,” she said yesterday.

Loh was commenting on Friday’s report stating that the one-year extension given to swiftlet breeders in Penang to continue their operation until next December would jeopardise George Town’s heritage status.

Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) president Khoo Salma Nasution had said that the state government’s decision to extend the moratorium on the breeders would be a breach of Unesco’s heritage management guidelines.

However, Loh explained that it was a misconception that swiftlets’ droppings would destroy the facade of heritage buildings as they only defecated inside the bird houses.

One more year

Wednesday December 23, 2009
The Star


SWIFLET breeders in Penang can continue their operation for another year as the state government has decided to extend the moratorium on the breeders till December next year.

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council made the decision in its meeting on Dec 16.

In a statement, he said the state Veterinary Services Department and the Town and Country Planning Department were still preparing guidelines on the National Swiflet Industry.

“The state government has been advised to postpone the implementation of the guidelines until the Cabinet approves the National Swiflet Industry guidelines,” he said.

In December last year, the state government announced that the breeders could continue their operation for another year as it has extended the three-year moratorium which would expire at the end of the month.

State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the extension would enable the state to review the current industry policies and guidelines.

He said breeders in George Town’s heritage area must stop playing the swiftlet song recordings and also tear down all illegal extensions during the period.

'Tap swiftlets potential'

NST
2009/12/04


A STATE assemblyman yesterday proposed a novel way to help sundry shop operators adversely affected by the influx of hypermarkets.
In debating the state 2010 Budget, Tee Siew Kiong (BN-Pulai Sebatang) said the government could kill two birds with one stone by allowing those affected to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels for bird nest farming.

He made the suggestion following the closure of many sundry shops which had failed to compete with hypermarkets, whose number was mushrooming in the state.

"Sundry shop operators stand to lose when pitched against hypermarkets as the latter have the capital to buy stocks in bulk and resell them at a much lower price than sundry shops," he said.

By allowing and assisting the operators to turn their premises into swiftlet hotels, Tee said this would allow them to continue to earn a decent living.

"Bird's nest has a huge and lucrative market in China, Hong Kong and other international places, so I urge the government to give it special attention and tap its potential," he said.

Tee said he was thankful to the state government for bringing the matter to the Federal Government's attention.

However, he said there was a need to have guidelines to govern swiftlet hotels which have become the subject of criticism by some residents because of noise pollution and hygiene problems.

He said banks had also become aware of the potential of the industry and had started to finance such ventures.

"It could be very beneficial to the state economy as Malaysia exported RM1 billion worth of bird's nest last year, which was equivalent to five per cent of the world market for the product," he said.

Tee also urged the government to simplify bird's nest exports and swiftlet hotel licensing so that the industry could grow even faster in the state.

Birds raid Batang Berjuntai

Saturday October 31, 2009
The Star
Story and photos by ELAN PERUMAL


SOME shoplots in Batang Berjuntai town in Kuala Selangor has been turned into homes for swiflets by breeders who seem to be capitalising on every available space for their activity.

Besides turning empty shoplots into swiflet breeding grounds, these breeders have also converted the back portion of shophouses as homes for the birds.


Almost all the shophouses along Jalan Kuala Selangor, which is the main road, have become swiflets breeding grou-nds.

There are several multi-storey buildings with massive extensions at the back where breeders conduct their activity.

Besides the town, the Bestari Jaya business centre has been also conqured by the swiflet breeders.

The breeders have converted the first floor of the vacant two-storey shoplots into breeding grounds. Some have also built an additional floor on the rooftop of the buildings to lure more birds.

A few of these breeders have also put signboards outside the building claiming that they are members of the swiflet breeding association.

Restaurant operator Rosli Sukiman, 45, said the swiflets were causing a lot of inconvenience to the people in the area.

Besides the noise pollution, he said, their droppings were also found all over the place, including on the vehicles that were parked outside the shops.

“Many of the vacant shoplots in the township have been turned into swiflet breeding spots,’’ he said

Another trader, who wished to be remain anonymous, said the presence of the swiflets was not good for the image of the town.

He said more and more business operators were closing their business and moving to other areas due to the situation.

“I hope the authorities will find a way to stop breeders from operating from shophouses,’’ he added.

Industry players want more govt support

Friday October 30, 2009
The Star
By THO XIN YI


SWIFTLET farming is gaining popularity in the country with many entrepreneurs setting up houses for the birds.

In Selangor alone, there are about 2,000 “hotels” for the swiftlets to build their nests.

One striking feature of the multistorey buildings is the absence of doors and ventilation holes.

Malaysian Federation of Associations of Bird’s Nests Merchants secretary Mah Swee Lye said the industry made its presence felt in the country about 10 years ago.

“Swiftlets began inhabiting vacant shoplots, to the surprise of the owners.

“Gradually, we picked up the know-how from our Indonesian counterparts, who have been in the business for at least 80 years, and brought the knowledge back here,” he said.

Currently, Indonesia still tops the bird’s nest supply chain by catering to 80% of the demand worldwide, followed by Malaysia, Thailand and other South-East Asian countries.

“The competition is intense. A swiftlet farmer needs both expertise and luck to succeed,” Mah said.

The owners of the bird houses do not actually rear the swiftlets.

Instead, they only set up the ‘hotel’ with the right temperature (28°C) and humidity (85%) to provide a suitable habitat, and then install the swiftlet tweeters to attract the birds.

“The swiftlets usually leave the house in the morning to hunt for food, and then return in the evening.

“They can live in the same house for generations,” Mah said.

He added that harvesting the nests did not deprive the birds of a place to stay.

“Swiftlets build nests only when it is time to lay eggs and once the birds learn to fly, the nests can safely be harvested.

“The birds do not sleep in the nests but perch vertically on the wooden planks.

“If their nests have been harvested, they will make new ones when it is time for another reproductive cycle,” Mah said.

The noise and hygiene issues of the industry often draw criticism and objections from the public, but Mah said a responsible farmer could eliminate these potential problems.

“The speakers should be positioned in such a way that they face the sky instead of the opposite buildings, and they should be switched off at night.

“A bird house should also be cleaned every two weeks to clear the faeces but some operators have the misconception that the smell attracts more birds,” he said.

Mah said the bird droppings made good fertiliser.

Nevertheless, the federation is pushing for the new guidelines to be implemented to achieve a win-win situation for the operators and the public.

“The federation’s chairman, Datuk Beh Heng Seong, has recently launched the guidelines in Kedah.

“One of the clauses is that new bird houses can only be constructed in light industrial areas, agricultural land and city outskirts,” Mah said.

He also hoped that the federal government could support and legalise the industry nationwide as the operators had difficulty in obtaining bank loans to start this business.

Swiftlets marring neighbourhood in Klang

Story and photo by ELAN PERUMAL

RESIDENTS in Jalan Sepat 1, Teluk Pulai, Klang, are concerned over the swiftlet rearing activity that is going on at shophouses near their houses.
Besides feeling uncomfortable, the residents also fear that the birds may spread diseases.

They also claimed that the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) has turned a deaf ear to the numerous complaints that they had made.
Checks by StarMetro revealed that a three-storey building was located near the houses and the swiftlets were kept on the first and second floors of the building.

Awkward top: An unusual structure has been built on the rooftop of this three-storey building to accommodate the swiflets.

Loud speakers have been placed on the buildings to attract the swiflets into the shophouses through the back windows.

The houses are located behind the two blocks of shophouses that are facing Jalan Teluk Pulai.
A resident, identified only as Robert, said the value of the properties in the area had dropped due to the presence of the swiflets.

He said the neighbourhood had lost its serenity since the swiftlets came into the area some years ago.

“It only started with swiftlets at two lots but the number has grown to more than 10 shoplots over recent years.

“The operators of the business are making money at our expense and I don’t understand why the council is allowing this to happen,’’ he said.

Housewife Beng Lee, 49, said the activity caused noise pollution produced through the loud speakers that were on from 6am to 8.30pm daily.

She said the residents were tired of listening to the chirping of the birds.
“We are forced to keep our windows and doors closed at all times,’’ she said
Another resident, who only wished to be identified as Billy, said the presence of the birds also produced a stench.

He said the bird droppings were also marring the area and they were worried about health aspects