The premise licence rate for all business in all Local Councils across the country should be more or less the same. Why must the BH licence rate be discriminated and special? This is definitely against the 1MALAYSIA policy of Najib and his encouragement to encourage this industry. How are the rural and kampong folks going to be encouraged to participate with such crazy rate to start with?

This is evidence showing how unprofessional and incompetent our Malaysia Civil Service is. The few several Little Napoleons in the position are grossly abusing the position and power and circumventing the rule and regulation doing things at their personal whim and fancy and probably with secret agenda without accountability. It looks like the Little Napoleons are the one and not the elected politicians to rule this country. But the majority of the Civil Service are still professional and with etiquette except they are not in the positions.

Anyway, maybe all of us here can do a little to help in confirming the finding by individually checking out the various rates of the different type of premise licence in different area and have them posted up here. It is very simple with only a call to find out. Many of us are in business or are having friends in the different type of businesses, thus are all paying premise license. Just give a call requesting them to look at the displayed license for the yearly rate printed below. This is no big deal and no OSA. But this is going to be very useful and helpful for our representatives to justify in the negotiation and argument with their respective councils. We must do it fast. Please, do it. Don’t tell me that such a simple matter we also can’t do to help them to defend us?

Dear Sifus,
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. I am interested at a location to buy a shop lot to build my first BH. I've observed this location and found something strange with it. This place is near an industrial area (about 2km away) and is surrounded by forest and palm oil plantation (about 2km away). There are already many BH in this area and some are successful (with 20+ birds flying around at 3 - 4pm) and some BH I can barely see any birds. However, sometimes I can barely see any birds at 6pm. Is it advisable to start my first BH in this area? Is food supply shortage ever an issue here in Pen. Malaysia for hot swiftlet areas because I have not heard of anyone mentioning it?

Once again, thank you much for all your pointers and hope you can lend a helping hand to this newbie here.

Mind to share how u determine the birds leave it nests? Atm me and my mother harvest once a month. That is 27th for each month. Some suggest we harvest 2weeks. Because the first time we harvest, there are plenty of new birds that doesnt have the guts to fly outside yet. But after 2 weeks, probably the birds got guts to fly out already.

Let me tell you what we just did these few days..........me and my Friends. Went up to the BH and checked out the nests and collected nests that the birds have fledged and at the same time marking on those nests which the birds are almost going to fly out. This way, we will not wrongly remove nests. These marked nest will be harvested in a week or two.......so, during this period, we shall be quite busy in the birdhouse harvesting the right nests and although, a few kilo a time and the remaining next round. It may take afew round of harvesting to harvest all but then, we will be sure that the new birds if any will stay as we didn't harvest their nests.

Long ago, we can proudly proclaim that once our birds, always our birds but then, time is different now as there are too many choices around and the birds do have a choice.......... Glad to understand that the swiftlets still faithful to us because we have been kind to them and they return with their new found friends and mates. If only my male swiftlets can have 4 wives ....and the last phase is a joke, hahaha

Selective Monthly Harvesting is good, too as you should have nests all year round but then make sure that you only harvest nests that bird fledged. By looking at the floor may help you to know if the above a new or used nest and also, the reflection from the mirror on the nest do help. I did selective harvesting in one of my nearby BH as I do have the time to do it and even during the monsoon time, I still have chicks and eggs in the BH while others BHs around seem to be empty. Sometime, this is a wasteful method as you may missed some nests that will be bird fledge and reused before you have the opportunity to harvest. Anyway, this is a good way for the increment of birds staying and for my religion..............unless you share the same feeling.

Like always, above are only my own way of providing sanctuary for swiftlets to share.

How do u mark the bird nests where the birds are almost going to fly out? chalk/pen?

Normally i only harvest those nests that already fledged. Kinda agree with u with proper harvesting system, bird nests increase a lot. Last 2 months my mum bh got around 800+ nests. Now it has 1350-1400 nests and it is 2 years old BH. Kinda happy with the BH performance though.

My cousin BH more crazy. 3months plus with total 60nests inside. So far the highest rate i have ever seen in sarawak.

Hi Mois,

Which part of Sarawak are u from?

somewhere around sarikei and sibu. how about u?

Dear Sifus,
Many sifus recommend starting BH in hot swiftlet areas. However, as hot swiftlet areas have many BHs, what are the major disadvantages in starting a BH in hot swiftlet areas. Is food supply ever a problem in our country's hot swiftlet areas? I know in Indonesia, food supply is a major problem.

Really appreciate sifus' kind advice as I'm hunting for a good place for my first BH. Many thanks.

To my understanding of swiftlets, swiftlets can and do fly far away in search of food and only return to breed or to feed chicks. So, don't worry about too many successful BHs in the area but rather if those around do allow the swiftlets to breed or not. Never build in area where there are many Bhs, all mostly unsuccessful BHs and that will tell you that the area is not a core area nor a good location to build BH.

Just assuming that there are 10 BHs in the area and each over 10K nests and can you imagine the number of young birds fledgling each round and should be around 200K new birds and should be sufficient to supply over 10K BH.

I never believe that the problem in Indo is due to the fact of shortage of food supply but rather human factors. For one, the way they do their harvesting and secondly, the environment there is so polluted and unhealthy unlike Malaysia, Thailand and others which still consider a healthy countries for the swiftlets.

As I did mentioned before, the swiftlets now do have choices and they can choose unlike before............so beware on how you manage your BH. If we treat the swiftlets badly, one day the swiftlets may just decide to abandon Malaysia for a neighboring better country. In making a BH in Hot Area is that you need to have a better sanctuary to ensure best result unlike in agriculture area which normally build in swiftlet food hunting area, any BH of any dimension or type will atract swiftlet to stay if the conditions are suitable but the increment will not be as good as the one mentioned earlier.
This, you don't need a MBA will tell you so.

Above is my own understanding of swiftlets from my own views only.

This post has been edited by West Wing: Aug 4 2010, 11:44 AM

URGENT TO ALL SWIFTLET RANCHERS IN THE STATE OF PULAU PINANG


KURSUS PERUSAHAAN SARANG BURUNG WALIT

ANJURAN:
KELAB SUKAN DAN KEBAJIKAN
JABATAN PERKHIDMATAN VETERINAR
NEGERI PULAU PINANG

TARIKH: 5 OGOS 2010
MASA: 2.00 – 6.00 PTG
TEMPAT: BILIK SEMINAR 1,
JABATAN PERKHIDMATAN VETERINAR
NEGERI PULAU PINANG
BAYARAN: RM180.00/PESERTA

Terbuka kepada semua pengusaha dan bakal pengusaha sebagai asas untuk perlesenan, pendaftaran dan pengiktirafan premis burung walit. Kursus meliputi perladangan, GP, GAHP, perelesenan dan prosedur eksport/import sarang burung walit.
Pendaftaran awal dialukan, pendaftaran secara ‘walk-in’ diterima tertakluk kepada kekosongan tempat.
Sila daftar pada waktu pejabat kepada: En Zainal Naim (Ketua Kerani)
Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar
Negeri Pulau Pinang
KURSUS PERUSAHAAN SARANG BURUNG WALIT

ATURCARA

2.00 – 2.20 ptg Pendaftaran peserta
2.20 – 2.30 ptg Perasmian Kursus
Dr Wan Mohd Kamil bin Dato’ Wan Nik
Pengarah Perkhidmatan Vetrerinar
Negeri Pulau Pinang
2.30 – 3.00 ptg Kertas 1: Garis Panduan Pembangunan Industri
Sarang Burung Walit
Puan Salmah bt Mahmud
3.00 – 4.00 ptg Kertas 2: Pembinaan Rumah dan Pengurusan
Burung Walit
Puan Jannette Lee
4.00 – 4.30 ptg Kertas 3: Amalan Penternakan Baik
Burung Walit (GAHP-Burung Walit)
Puan Lily Rosalind
4.30 – 5.00 ptg Kertas 4: Perlesenan Premis Burung Walit
En Mohd Faidzal
Bahagian Pelesenan MPSP
5.00 – 5.30 ptg Kertas 5: Prosedur Eksport/Import Sarang
Burung Walit
Dr Nabilah bt Abd Talib
5.30 – 6.00 ptg Penutup dan Penyampaian Sijil

6.00 ptg Minum petang dan bersurai

---

Added on August 4, 2010, 12:52 pmThe various Swiftlet Associations were informed several days ago.

I am a fully paid member of a local association but to date I have not received any notification on the seminar. I believe some other members have not received any notification either. Is the seminar being boycotted?

Whatever action the associations are planning, it's rather late is it not ?

So now, I had to 'kay po' to inform all of you.



This post has been edited by tuckfook: Aug 4 2010, 12:52 PM

hi, guys, i'm new. =)

Hi Sifu West Wing,
Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. I really appreciate it.
Thank you for the many many sharings you have posted in the past.
May God bless you for your generosity.

Hello all swiftlets sifus,

Newbie here. I am planning to engage a local "consultant" at my hometown to help to build my first BH on agriculture land. Do you think RM8 per ft2 fee for BH interior furnishing is a standard rate? Includes planks, sounds, smell, humidifier, etc.

And how big the empty land I need to build the 80x25" BH? Currently the land has rubber trees.

I still need to engage contractor to build the structure, of course he will advice on the opening and stuffs.

Thanks in advance.

since the KURSUS PERUSAHAAN SARANG BURUNG WALIT is from JABATAN PERKHIDMATAN VETERINAR and all those who didn't have the certificate should attend as it maybe a requirement for the lesen later.

Even if it is not require for the application but the cert will proved that you know what you are doing as required by the Law and Regulations governing the trade. It's also good to support the Jabatan's Club, the department that will provide you with the approval of your BHs and have fellowship with them during tea break. There, you can forward your questions and suggestions to the Vet. for their consideration and assurance.

Here, we attended many of the Kursus even though we don't agree with most of the speakers but we are there to render our support and for fellowship.....and discussion with the heads of the V. V support us and we support the V............when possible.....

As for your local association like most of them, they rarely forward anything or organize any seminar or update news for the members.........I wonder why they are elected and why they are still there. Blame it on the members themselves as they also have the similar "tidak apa" attitude..

So, you are no Kaypo but a concerned friend who do care and if your association isn't doing anything; why don't you and your friends go for the top posts of your local association and make it a better world for all BH owners there........ Better now or regret later because the top guys didn't do the right thing and all of you need to suffer..... It is own rice bowl..... I do talk too much most of the time...sorry.

This post has been edited by West Wing: Aug 5 2010, 02:39 PM

Some of us are very much involved, but on the outside of the associations mainly because we do not see eye to eye members and the committee. Not everyone subscribes to the idea of doing things together, happily. Having a proper dialog with all our neighbours and appreciating all their concerns as well as expressing ours.

There are going to be some very angry and then very sad swiftlet ranch owners in Georgetown when the Government comes down harshly on them. They could have avoided much sorrow with proper negotiations. Still not too late for a last ditch effort, I am told.

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Added on August 6, 2010, 7:31 pmUrgent to all Swiftlet House Owners in Georgetown and all supporters


Meeting scheduled with the MMPP, Penang Heritage Dept., Penang Heritage Trust, and all swiftlet house owners and all interested parties.

Monday 9th. August 2010

9.00am to 12.30pm

Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang Jalan Utama 10450 Pulau Pinang Next to Governor's Residence, Western road, opposite Polo ground.


Supporters are welcome.

This is the last chance !!!!!!
Swiftlet Houses may be banned from Georgetown !!!!!

---

Added on August 6, 2010, 8:12 pmPlease inform everyone you know who has anything to do with Swiftlet houses in the State of Penang.

This is probably the last chance you have, to make your views known to the Penang Government. May also set a precedent for other states to follow.

Penang Heritage Activist will be in attendance. They will also have their say.

Be There or only SOB quietly when your Georgetown Swiftlet house is torn down.






This post has been edited by tuckfook: Aug 6 2010, 08:12 PM

Does anyone call the federal bird's nest association president and committee members to help out to attend the meeting in georgetown? As the federal association, they are suppose to lead in the meeting whether they own any shops in georgetown or not. THats their responsibilities.

they should be the one together with ASNI to come out with a strategy to tackle heritage group in fighting for the innocent keepers in georgetown.

Mr West Wing, since you are supporter of federal association, can you call up the president and ask them what they are doing to help georgetown keepers?

Bro, I am like you; I am also just a member of an Association affiliate to the federal Association but I was the Chartered President for my local Association...........I recommended my Association to join the Fed to make it stronger but Like I say, I can only give advice to my local association and whether they follow or not is up to them. As for the case of the Penang's side, I believe the Penang Association and the Fed has taken some form of initiatives on their part to solve the problem as how they do it, I am like you, just blurred. I shouldn't pass any comment or even involve in the discussion for the Fed as I am not in the committees, just the Adviser for my Local Association............The state govt. belong to the Opposition and hope that the opposition share our feelings and proposals on the swiftlets sanctuaries @ Penang........Who in Penang and know the Penang CM may be able to advice the CM on allowing the BH at the area to remain maybe under special conditions and

I would like to help but sometime not knowing all and in details, best leave them to those who know.....otherwise, I would have shot the wrong guys for which I would regret later. Who right or wrong, I like you tidak tahu sedikit langsong.....so, I jangan pandai pandai, nanti kena marah ...jadi bodoh sahaja.

This post has been edited by West Wing: Aug 7 2010, 01:35 PM

How come all good bloggers ended up either selling something or disappeared?
When you started sell products, the credibility to be trusted, not bias, isn't there any more.
For those who are just disappeared, we missed you.

I wish to inform that there will be a public forum on Monday, 9.8.10 at 9.00 am in Komplek Penyayang Masyarakat on the new Garis Panduan. There will be a presentation on the 1GP by Jabatan Veterinar and Jabatan Warisan. I have managed to persuade the organisers to allow me to speak on that day in support of our cause.

There is strong opposition from Penang Heritage Trust so ASNI need you to come and support us. If we do not stand up & be counted now, we will lose the battle and it will mean the end of bird houses in Penang.

As a result of the many meetings and negotiations ASNI had with Jabatan Veterinar and Jabatan Warisan Negara over the past year, the 1GP allows existing Bird houses to remain in the heritage zone.

Furthermore, the Association will be consulted and be involved in decisions involving the bird houses in the heritage zone. According to the new 1GP, the Association will have a Representative in the Committee.

ASNI is fighting to maintain this and as anticipated, we are facing strong resistance from Penang Heritage Trust. ASNI will not back off, we will continue our fight but we need your support.

Please spread the word and attend the forum with your friends and fellow birdhouse owners.


Regards
Carole Loh
President
ASNI



DANGER!!!!!!!!

So, you see that the Fed has been doing all they can but the Anti BHs are all deaf and refuse to discuss...........so, it's now up to you all owners and supporters to united and attend the forum by the hundreds if possible, thousands to help to save all the BHs in Penang. Come all and help or else, when domed day comes, you got yourself to be blamed cos you haven't done your best!!!!!

Bring your friends and supporters as well as all kind and animal loving people who care for the swiftlets survivor as the beautiful swiftlets may face a massacre like what happened @ Mukah and in a much larger scale.....thousands maybe millions of babies (swiftlets) will die in one and later many of your friends may lose all their whole life saving just because you didn't care to lend a helping hand. Be there.........to show that you care for the swiftlets and those poor people that offer swiftlets sanctuaries for the free and peace loving swiftlets..........

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Added on August 7, 2010, 9:01 pmTheir minds are totally closed and made up. They will only be satisfied if birdhouses are banned in Penang. Anything less than that is not acceptable to them.....according to Ms. Carole Loh, President ASNI.

So, there are nothing to discuss as those Anti BHs have their ears closed and we need to prepare for battle to ensure the safety of our swiftlets and their offsprings..............Ishaallah, we shall see tomorrow sun.


This post has been edited by West Wing: Aug 7 2010, 09:01 PM

Heritage Trust group is a group that fight for heritage status,whether swiftlet keepers will prevent georgetown from listed as heritage site is not really matter. As long as they Think that it is a threat to them, they will get rid the thread.

They will not cares if hundreds and thousands of malaysians who depended on this industry to survive, please spread this word to them, survive, not making profit but purely for survival to feed elders, to feed childrens.

To them they really don't cares if these keepers will have no food to feed their families, have no money to pay for basic needs and even more if millions of birds die.

Tell the ruling party in penang, this industry is not about how much profit we can make, it is how many families in georgetown that depended on it for survival.