Friday, April 9, 2010

Be fair in crackdown on illegal swiftlet farmers: SAPP leader

March 10, 2010, Wednesday

KOTA KINABALU: City Hall must be fair when taking action against those who operate illegal swiftlet farming activities in the state capital.“How is it possible that action was taken against a swiftlet farmer in Inanam this month, but three similar activities are allowed to flourish in the city itself?” SAPP Api Api Central Liaison Committee (CLC) chairman.Datuk David Chong asked.

According to Chong, on March 2 this year, City Hall together with the State Wildlife Department took action against a swiftlet farmer who operated in farm in a three storey shoplot in Inanam.

There were similar activities in the city itself, but City Hall has turned a blind eye to what they are doing, he said, claiming that the illegal swiflet farming activities being carried out in Jalan Pantai, Australia street and Gaya street.

“By allowing them to continue operating showed that City Hall condoned such activities in the city area, but not in the outskirts. “The question here is why is the swiftlet farmer in Inanam victimised? If City Hall is taking action against those in Inanam, then it must do the same for those in the city…. it must be fair,” he said.

Chong also said according to City Hall’s licensing unit, those who want to convert their shop lots for swiflet breeding must apply with it to have the licence changed.

The activity was deemed illegal if the person did not receive any approval, he said, adding that the Wildlife Department also confirmed that an approval from the department to carry out the activity must be obtained failing which the offender could be fined RM50,000.

He also hoped that the relevant authorities would not approve licences for swiftlet farming in densely populated areas like the cities because it would not only disrupt business, but also posed a health risk to the public.

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