Wednesday April 13, 2011
The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The National Council for Local Government is behind the ban on swiftlet farming in heritage areas and not the state government, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
He accused critics of “having ulterior motives” and “politicising the matter” for the Sarawak election
“If they have the courage to protest sincerely and are not playing political games, they should protest to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and not direct these (protests) to the state government,” he said.
Lim claimed that swiftlet farm- ing had become a hot issue as bird’s nest collection was popular in Sarawak.
“Bird house operations are big in Sarawak and we (Pakatan Rakyat) are getting attacked on this issue,” he said.
In early September last year, Muhyiddin had announced that swiftlet farming would be prohibited in the Penang and Malacca heritage enclaves, with a three- year grace period given to existing operators.
Meanwhile, Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng has renewed a challenge to the state government for an open debate over bird nests farming in the George Town heritage enclave.
Tan who quit PKR last year and is now a Kita member, said he issued a similar challenged to Local Government and Traffic Management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, state Agriculture, Rural Development and Flood Mitigation committee chairman Law Choo Kiang and state Domestic Trade, Consumer and Religious Affairs committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim two years ago but they had kept mum.
Last week, some 50 swiftlet farm operators held banners and shouted slogans at Komtar Walk here against the ongoing move to get them out of George Town.
When contacted, Chow and Abdul Malik declined to debate with Tan.
Abdul Malik urged Tan to “open his mouth” at the Dewan Rakyat.
Law could not be reached for comments.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Swiftlet farming can turn heritage zone into ‘ghost town’
Tuesday April 12, 2011
The Star
By KOW KWAN YEE
kowky@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang heritage zone would become a ‘ghost town’ if the bird nests farming operators are allowed to continue operating, said state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
“Many residents have begun complaining about noise created in pre-war houses which were renovated to accommodate the swiftlets. Some may eventually move out from the area,” he said.
“The heritage site will not become liveable and if the residents move out, the status of World Heritage will be threatened,” he said after opening a forum on Local Government here.
Chow said heritage is not only about lifeless artefacts, monuments or antique pieces, but it also includes the living people who inherit the heritage and culture here.
“Swiftlet farmers should not expect the state (government) and the people to sacrifice, so that their narrow interests are protected,” he said.
The National Council for Local Government had decided on Sept 2 last year that new swiftlet nest farms would not be allowed at heritage sites in Penang and Malacca while existing ones would have to relocate within three years.
“We are not killing off their lucrative trade, but to allow them to continue the businesses in an appropriate area,” he said, adding that he would meet with some of the farmers today for discussion.
Association for Swiftlet Nests Industry pre-sident Carole Loh (pic) responded by asking Chow to check his facts first, as the Federal Government has previously declared that the operators are not allowed to play music recordings, as part of efforts to attract the birds.
“There is no noise. How can noise be an issue when it was banned in the first place.”
She also stressed that the bird farms were approved earlier than the listing of George Town as a Unesco heritage site.
The Star
By KOW KWAN YEE
kowky@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang heritage zone would become a ‘ghost town’ if the bird nests farming operators are allowed to continue operating, said state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
“Many residents have begun complaining about noise created in pre-war houses which were renovated to accommodate the swiftlets. Some may eventually move out from the area,” he said.
“The heritage site will not become liveable and if the residents move out, the status of World Heritage will be threatened,” he said after opening a forum on Local Government here.
Chow said heritage is not only about lifeless artefacts, monuments or antique pieces, but it also includes the living people who inherit the heritage and culture here.
“Swiftlet farmers should not expect the state (government) and the people to sacrifice, so that their narrow interests are protected,” he said.
The National Council for Local Government had decided on Sept 2 last year that new swiftlet nest farms would not be allowed at heritage sites in Penang and Malacca while existing ones would have to relocate within three years.
“We are not killing off their lucrative trade, but to allow them to continue the businesses in an appropriate area,” he said, adding that he would meet with some of the farmers today for discussion.
Association for Swiftlet Nests Industry pre-sident Carole Loh (pic) responded by asking Chow to check his facts first, as the Federal Government has previously declared that the operators are not allowed to play music recordings, as part of efforts to attract the birds.
“There is no noise. How can noise be an issue when it was banned in the first place.”
She also stressed that the bird farms were approved earlier than the listing of George Town as a Unesco heritage site.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Swiftlet nest ‘farmers’ let fly over action
Saturday April 9, 2011
The Star
By TAN SIN CHOW
sctan@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: Some 50 swiftlet farm operators held banners and shouted slogans at Komtar Walk here against the ongoing move to get them out of George Town.
One of the operators, Tan Siew Teng, in his 40s, maintained that they have not done anything wrong to warrant the crackdown.
He believed that the Unesco office could have been ‘ill-informed’ through certain poison-pen letters on the situation here.
He said the swiftlets fly into the heritage buildings on their own will, adding that this is only happening in South East Asian countries.
“By using the word ‘farming’, it gives the impression to the Westerners that we are conducting the trade on a large scale,” he said.
“But in fact, this is not farming. We merely attract the birds.”
“We just provide a place for them to roost and more importantly, we do not feed them,” he told reporters at the scene yesterday.
MPPP has divided swiftlet nest farms in the city into four categories and the enforcement unit has taken action against sites which have been illegally converted for the lucrative trade.
The National Council for Local Government had decided on Sept 2 last year that new swiftlet nest farms would not be allowed at heritage sites in Penang and Malacca while existing ones would have to clear out within three years.
State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow had said the state would not wait until the grace period is over before taking action.
Another operator Khaw Chin Kok, 43, claimed that action had been taken against some operators even before their scheduled meeting with the state government on April 12.
Also present were Barisan Nasional coordinators Loh Poh Chye (Pengkalan Kota) and Loh Chye Teik (Komtar).
Loh said the swiftlets were already around when Penang obtained the Unesco status.
“I do not see why it is becoming an issue only now,” he said.
Chow, when contacted, stressed that the state has nothing personal against the operators.
“It is just that the inner city is not the right place to conduct this business,” he said.
The Star
By TAN SIN CHOW
sctan@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: Some 50 swiftlet farm operators held banners and shouted slogans at Komtar Walk here against the ongoing move to get them out of George Town.
One of the operators, Tan Siew Teng, in his 40s, maintained that they have not done anything wrong to warrant the crackdown.
He believed that the Unesco office could have been ‘ill-informed’ through certain poison-pen letters on the situation here.
He said the swiftlets fly into the heritage buildings on their own will, adding that this is only happening in South East Asian countries.
“By using the word ‘farming’, it gives the impression to the Westerners that we are conducting the trade on a large scale,” he said.
“But in fact, this is not farming. We merely attract the birds.”
“We just provide a place for them to roost and more importantly, we do not feed them,” he told reporters at the scene yesterday.
MPPP has divided swiftlet nest farms in the city into four categories and the enforcement unit has taken action against sites which have been illegally converted for the lucrative trade.
The National Council for Local Government had decided on Sept 2 last year that new swiftlet nest farms would not be allowed at heritage sites in Penang and Malacca while existing ones would have to clear out within three years.
State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow had said the state would not wait until the grace period is over before taking action.
Another operator Khaw Chin Kok, 43, claimed that action had been taken against some operators even before their scheduled meeting with the state government on April 12.
Also present were Barisan Nasional coordinators Loh Poh Chye (Pengkalan Kota) and Loh Chye Teik (Komtar).
Loh said the swiftlets were already around when Penang obtained the Unesco status.
“I do not see why it is becoming an issue only now,” he said.
Chow, when contacted, stressed that the state has nothing personal against the operators.
“It is just that the inner city is not the right place to conduct this business,” he said.
Friday, April 8, 2011
MPSP no to swiftlet licence
Friday April 8, 2011
The Star
THERE are an estimated 2,000-odd illegal swiftlet nest farms in Seberang Prai, Penang.
Of the number, 1,155 operators have submitted applications for licences from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) but none has been approved so far, said MPSP councillor Steven Sim Chee Keong.
“The licence applications to operate swiftlet nest farms in Seberang Prai have been temporarily frozen.
“We are still waiting for the state government to come up with specific guidelines on swiftlet nest farming in Penang,” he said during an operation to remove speakers from three illegal swiftlet nest farms in a shophouse block on Jalan Tembikai in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.
Sim said of the 1,155 farms which applied for licences, 1,051 were located in shophouses, 67 on agricultural land and 37 in residential houses.
“They must submit building plans together with their licence applications. The licence approval will depend on endorsements from the Fire and Rescue Department and the council’s technical departments as well as the suitability of the farms’ locations,” he said.
Fellow councillor Oon Neow Aun said the council had so far issued licences to three swiftlet nest farms.
He said such farms were only allowed to be built on agricultural land but not near padi fields and irrigation canals as the Drainage and Irrigation Department feared that bird droppings might pollute the waterway.
On the enforcement yesterday, Oon said the council had issued several notices to the three swiftlet nest farm operators since June last year to lower the volume of their speakers following public complaints but this was ignored.
He said the council permitted operators to set their music volume at below 40db (decibels) but the sound levels recorded at the farms were above 66db.
Oon said the enforcement against the operators were initiated under Section 82 (5) of the Local Government Act 1976 for causing nuisance.
Eleven council enforcement officers, two council special squad members, six auxiliary policemen, three council Building Department officers and five council Health Department officers took part in the hour-long operation.
The Star
THERE are an estimated 2,000-odd illegal swiftlet nest farms in Seberang Prai, Penang.
Of the number, 1,155 operators have submitted applications for licences from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) but none has been approved so far, said MPSP councillor Steven Sim Chee Keong.
“The licence applications to operate swiftlet nest farms in Seberang Prai have been temporarily frozen.
“We are still waiting for the state government to come up with specific guidelines on swiftlet nest farming in Penang,” he said during an operation to remove speakers from three illegal swiftlet nest farms in a shophouse block on Jalan Tembikai in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.
Sim said of the 1,155 farms which applied for licences, 1,051 were located in shophouses, 67 on agricultural land and 37 in residential houses.
“They must submit building plans together with their licence applications. The licence approval will depend on endorsements from the Fire and Rescue Department and the council’s technical departments as well as the suitability of the farms’ locations,” he said.
Fellow councillor Oon Neow Aun said the council had so far issued licences to three swiftlet nest farms.
He said such farms were only allowed to be built on agricultural land but not near padi fields and irrigation canals as the Drainage and Irrigation Department feared that bird droppings might pollute the waterway.
On the enforcement yesterday, Oon said the council had issued several notices to the three swiftlet nest farm operators since June last year to lower the volume of their speakers following public complaints but this was ignored.
He said the council permitted operators to set their music volume at below 40db (decibels) but the sound levels recorded at the farms were above 66db.
Oon said the enforcement against the operators were initiated under Section 82 (5) of the Local Government Act 1976 for causing nuisance.
Eleven council enforcement officers, two council special squad members, six auxiliary policemen, three council Building Department officers and five council Health Department officers took part in the hour-long operation.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Show us the Unesco letter, say swiftlet farmers
Friday April 1, 2011
The Star
By ANDREA FILMER
andrea@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: A group of swiftlet farm owners has demanded a Unesco letter allegedly warning George Town to buck up on its enforcement of bird's nest farming in the heritage enclave to be made public.
Pengkalan Kota Barisan Nasional coordinator Loke Poh Chye, who spoke on behalf of the group, said full disclosure of the letter would be in line with the state government's CAT (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) policy.
“The owners want to ascertain the exact reasons Unesco was troubled with bird's nest harvesting in the heritage zone.
“Without knowing what Unesco is concerned about, proper guidelines cannot be suggested to solve the problem between the owners and the state,” Loke said at a press conference that was attended by some 20 bird's nest farm owners.
On Feb 23, state exco Chow Kon Yeow said World Heritage Centre director Francesco Bandarin had sent a letter to Ali Abdul Ghani, Malaysia's permanent delegate to Unesco in Paris, outlining its concerns on the conversion of heritage buildings into swiftlet breeding premises.
It had been reported that the centre had been made aware of the matter following a series of reports it had received.
The National Council for Local Government had also announced on Sept 2 that new swiftlet nest farms would not be allowed in the George Town and Malacca heritage sites while existing ones would have to clear out in three years.
The Star
By ANDREA FILMER
andrea@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: A group of swiftlet farm owners has demanded a Unesco letter allegedly warning George Town to buck up on its enforcement of bird's nest farming in the heritage enclave to be made public.
Pengkalan Kota Barisan Nasional coordinator Loke Poh Chye, who spoke on behalf of the group, said full disclosure of the letter would be in line with the state government's CAT (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) policy.
“The owners want to ascertain the exact reasons Unesco was troubled with bird's nest harvesting in the heritage zone.
“Without knowing what Unesco is concerned about, proper guidelines cannot be suggested to solve the problem between the owners and the state,” Loke said at a press conference that was attended by some 20 bird's nest farm owners.
On Feb 23, state exco Chow Kon Yeow said World Heritage Centre director Francesco Bandarin had sent a letter to Ali Abdul Ghani, Malaysia's permanent delegate to Unesco in Paris, outlining its concerns on the conversion of heritage buildings into swiftlet breeding premises.
It had been reported that the centre had been made aware of the matter following a series of reports it had received.
The National Council for Local Government had also announced on Sept 2 that new swiftlet nest farms would not be allowed in the George Town and Malacca heritage sites while existing ones would have to clear out in three years.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Swiftlet farm shutdown
Saturday March 12, 2011
The STar
By ANN TAN
anntan@thestar.com.my
Pic 1 Skylift entry: A female MPPP enforcement officer entering the second floor of the shophouses in Carnavon Street.
Pic 2 Unprocessed material: A council worker showing a bowl believed to contain birds' nest in a building in Carnarvon Street.
SPic 3 erious about crackdown: Penang Municipal Council enforcement personnel taking down a partition for swiflet breeding at the shophouse on Lorong Tok Aka.
THE authorities used a chain- saw to break into an illegal swiftlet nest farming site and a skylift to gain entry into another building suspected to be used for the same purpose.
A 60-member team, comprising Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), police and Penang Veterinary Department personnel, took part in the enforcement exercise yesterday to rid George Town of illegal swiftlet farming premises.
They first went to three adjoining double-storey shoph ouses on Carnarvon Street at about 10am but found the units unoccupied and ‘To Let’ notices pasted on the doors at the lower level.
MPPP personnel then used a skylift to get to the top floor and climbed into the building via a window there after removing its heavily tinted panes.
Shortly after, a worker came to open the door, saying that his boss told him to do so after being notified that there were many enforcement officers there.
Although the MPPP personnel found swiftlet droppings on the floor and a bowl believed to contain unprocessed birds nest, they could not find any nests or swiflets inside the building.
The man, who declined to be named, said his boss stopped the swiftlet nest business three years ago.
“He has renovated the units and is waiting for any interested party to rent the three shophouses,” he said.
His boss, known only as Yeoh, arrived minutes after the enforcement team left and was heard asking his employee why the enforcement personnel had to enter his premises like thieves.
When he saw a photographer taking photos of swiflet droppings inside the building, Yeoh lost his temper and pulled the photographer’s backpack before chasing the newsmen away.
The enforcement team later proceeded to a double-storey shophouse on Lorong Tok Aka where twittering sounds from speakers used to attract the swiftlets could be heard clearly.
They used a chainsaw to cut open the door lock after several calls went unanswered.
They left a RM250 compound notice on the door after seizing speakers from the unit and taking down partitions used for swiftlet nest farming.
MPPP had divided swiftlet nest farms in the city into four categories and the enforcement action yesterday was the start of the operations against 32 sites which had been illegally converted into such farms.
Penang Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said these farms had been issued with notices to stop operations last year.
“We have earlier acted against 11 new illegal swiftlet farming operators.
“The third category are 50 operators who applied for licences but did not get approval while 28 operators who came under the fourth category have received temporary licences,” he said.
The National Council for Local Government had decided on Sept 2 last year that new swiftlet nest farms would not be allowed at heritage sites in Penang and Malacca while existing ones would have to clear out in three years.
Chow said the state would not wait until the grace period ends before taking action.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Swift action on swiftlet breeding
Friday February 25, 2011
By MANJIT KAUR and WINNIE YEOH
north@thestar.com.my
PENANG has swung into action since Jan 1 to ensure operators of swiftlet breeding premises move out from the George Town heritage enclave despite the Federal Government’s three-year grace period.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) had taken steps to address the issue which resulted in 28 farms run by 27 operators being closed down.
He said due to the low-profile enforcement, the public might not be aware of the processes that had taken place.
Chow said the council had identified swiftlet farms run by 121 operators in 128 heritage buildings in the inner city
“We’re taking action gradually against the remaining 94 operators running the business in 101 premises,” he said, adding that the next enforcement would take place next month.
He added that the council could not simply destroy the bird nests as they had to follow the instructions of the Veterinary Services Department on the right timing to do so.
“There are certain seasons when these birds lay eggs in the nests, and we cannot just destroy them,” he added.
It was reported yesterday that the Malacca and George Town’s joint Unesco World Heritage Site status may be in jeopardy due to the conversion of heri- tage buildings into swiftlet breeding premises.
Unesco’s World Heritage Centre has expressed concern over the matter following a series of reports the organisation had received.
Centre director Francesco Bandarin said, in a letter dated Jan 14, the reports stated that there were 200 to 300 swiftlet farms in George Town.
Chow said the MPPP had issued notices to the operators to stop the business at the heritage enclave, and some had been charged under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
He said enforcement or legal action could be taken against those who defied the ruling under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976,
“Under the law, we have the right to demolish the extended illegal structure, and to bring down the recording system played to attract these birds.
“We are also in the process of having joint meetings with the stakeholders, technical agencies and the non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“We are also serious about the operators restoring the building to its original structure once they move out,” he added
Chow said George Town World Heritage Incorporated (WHI) general manager Maimunah Mohd Sharif had on Jan 25 responded to the National Heritage Department commissioner of heritage Prof Emeritus Datin Paduka Zuraina Majid on the action that had been taken by the state authorities.
The Federal Government had on Sept 2, last year approved a new guideline for the swiftlet breeding industry (1GP) where such activities were not allowed to be carried out at both the heritage enclaves.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) presi- dent Khoo Salma Nasution said there was a need to have a new inventory of the number of operators conducting these businesses both in the core and buffer zones.
She said PHT was willing to work with MPPP to map out all the swiftlet houses.
“I hope the whole operation will be done in consultation with all parties including the NGOs, the owners of the shophouses, and the operators.
“We also need to know what happens once the operators move out of the renovated buildings that require rehabilitation,” she added
By MANJIT KAUR and WINNIE YEOH
north@thestar.com.my
PENANG has swung into action since Jan 1 to ensure operators of swiftlet breeding premises move out from the George Town heritage enclave despite the Federal Government’s three-year grace period.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) had taken steps to address the issue which resulted in 28 farms run by 27 operators being closed down.
He said due to the low-profile enforcement, the public might not be aware of the processes that had taken place.
Chow said the council had identified swiftlet farms run by 121 operators in 128 heritage buildings in the inner city
“We’re taking action gradually against the remaining 94 operators running the business in 101 premises,” he said, adding that the next enforcement would take place next month.
He added that the council could not simply destroy the bird nests as they had to follow the instructions of the Veterinary Services Department on the right timing to do so.
“There are certain seasons when these birds lay eggs in the nests, and we cannot just destroy them,” he added.
It was reported yesterday that the Malacca and George Town’s joint Unesco World Heritage Site status may be in jeopardy due to the conversion of heri- tage buildings into swiftlet breeding premises.
Unesco’s World Heritage Centre has expressed concern over the matter following a series of reports the organisation had received.
Centre director Francesco Bandarin said, in a letter dated Jan 14, the reports stated that there were 200 to 300 swiftlet farms in George Town.
Chow said the MPPP had issued notices to the operators to stop the business at the heritage enclave, and some had been charged under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
He said enforcement or legal action could be taken against those who defied the ruling under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976,
“Under the law, we have the right to demolish the extended illegal structure, and to bring down the recording system played to attract these birds.
“We are also in the process of having joint meetings with the stakeholders, technical agencies and the non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“We are also serious about the operators restoring the building to its original structure once they move out,” he added
Chow said George Town World Heritage Incorporated (WHI) general manager Maimunah Mohd Sharif had on Jan 25 responded to the National Heritage Department commissioner of heritage Prof Emeritus Datin Paduka Zuraina Majid on the action that had been taken by the state authorities.
The Federal Government had on Sept 2, last year approved a new guideline for the swiftlet breeding industry (1GP) where such activities were not allowed to be carried out at both the heritage enclaves.
Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) presi- dent Khoo Salma Nasution said there was a need to have a new inventory of the number of operators conducting these businesses both in the core and buffer zones.
She said PHT was willing to work with MPPP to map out all the swiftlet houses.
“I hope the whole operation will be done in consultation with all parties including the NGOs, the owners of the shophouses, and the operators.
“We also need to know what happens once the operators move out of the renovated buildings that require rehabilitation,” she added
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