Borneo Resources Swiflet Eco- Park

KUCHING: Sarawak State Economic Development Corp (SEDC) and Peninsular Malaysia-based Borneo Resources Synergy Sdn Bhd (BRS) have agreed to jointly develop a RM40mil swiftlet eco-park in Balingian, Mukah Division within the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy (SCORE).

BRS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of property development and investment firm Masmeyer Holdings Sdn Bhd, has a 80% stake in the joint venture. SEDC holds the balance 20%. Sited in a rural setting along the Mukah-Balingian coastal highway, the project will involve the development of 40 three-storey units and 15 three-storey bungalow units.

“The project is targeted to be completed not later than 2012. Ideally, it is to be ready this year,” BRS director Choo Beng Kai said after the joint venture agreement signing ceremony. Golden Swift Resources Sdn Bhd, a swiftlet farming expert, has been engaged to provide technical expertise to the project.

SEDC was tasked by the Sarawak state government to spearhead the development of swiftlet farming on a well-planned, sustainable and eco-friendly manner. The state authorities (Forestry) recently took action against hundreds of unlicensed swiftlet operators who used shophouses in town for swiftlet farming. The proposed park will provide an alternative venue for swiftlet farmers asked by the state government to shift their operations to approved sites.

Newly appointed Sarawak Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who witnessed the ceremony, said the development of the proposed park was to ensure an orderly development of the lucrative swiftlet farming industry. Talib, who was former SEDC chairman, said SEDC planned to develop similar swiftlet eco-parks in other parts of the state.

“We (SEDC) are looking to bring in more joint venture partners in similar projects.” He said SEDC-BRS would process and market the bird’s nests the joint-venture company produced. A kg of unprocessed bird’s nest now fetches about RM4,250. Talib said Sarawak was well-known for its high quality bird’s nest (Cave nest), adding that this was evident as the early traders from China had come to Sarawak to buy bird’s nests (maily from cave).