During the recent school holidays, I took my family to Penang to visit my grandmother. We stayed at her house in Georgetown but had a very unpleasant few days because someone had converted a nearby house into a swiftlet farm. It was a terrible experience having to endure the incessant and shrill bird noise that was broadcasted from loudspeakers daily.

On the way back to KL, we made stops in a several towns, either to visit other relatives or just to holiday. I was quite surprised to note that swiftlet farming is rather widespread in the towns we visited like for example Sungei Petani, Bagan Serai, Nibong Tebal, Taiping and Ipoh. I am sure it's the same story in many towns all over the country.

Previously, I had not bothered much with news about swiftlet farming. I just wondered what the fuss was all about. However, after our first-hand experience at my grandmother's house, I can now understand why there are so many complaints about it.

I promised my grandmother that I will help her file complaints to the relevant authorities and in the process, I did some research on this matter.

I understand that currently the only guidelines pertaining to the swiftlet breeding industry is a brief booklet issued by the Housing and Local Government Ministry entitled: Garispanduan Permohonan Lesen Premis Perusahaan Sarang Burung Walit. Other than these guidelines, there are no other specific enforcement rules for the swiftlet breeding industry.

When I made a complaint to the local council on behalf of my grandmother, I was told by the officers that they have received many similar complaints. Usually they will check a premise before issuing the licence, but after that, if the swiftlet breeder ‘breaks’ the guidelines, there is little they can do due to the large numbers of such swiftlet farms, lack of manpower and also lack of enforcement powers.

Apparently, in Penang alone, there are hundreds of such swiftlet farms in houses.

Even looking within the Garispanduan Permohonan Lesen itself, it is quite clear that the guidelines were drawn up rather awkwardly. There’s not much consideration given to the potential effects swiftlet farms have on nearby residents.

I quote two examples. Firstly, swiftlet breeding is not allowed at residential buildings but allowed at commercial buildings. At first glance, it sounds reasonable but in reality it's a loophole. For example, the swiftlet farm near my grandmother's house operates from an old pre-war shophouse which can be classified as a commercial building.

Yet neighbouring houses such as my grandmother's are occupied by people either as residential or doubles up as business cum living quarters. Many towns in our country are built like this, with both residential and shophouses existing side-by-side.

Secondly, the broadcasted noise should not exceed a certain level. But it is not merely about the loudness of the noise but also how long we are exposed to it and how unwanted it is. I've had first-hand experience of this, and even for just a few days I found it really annoying.

There are also other potential problems to be addressed such as hygiene issues that may lead to health problems. For example, dried guano (bird feaces) particles contaminating the air and the possibility of swiftlets being carriers of diseases.

Most swiftlet farm owners do not live at their farms, and only come by occasionally or employ workers to collect their harvest. So, they are either ignorant or not bothered about the complaints and problems they cause to their neighbours.

Currently from newspaper reports, only the Penang and Sarawak local councils are taking steps to relocate swiftlet farms away from populated areas. Other local councils remain reluctant or are powerless to deal with this issue.

Thus, I hope the federal government will look into standardising rules and regulations for the swiftlet breeding industry. I also hope that any future regulations will be more stringent and against allowing swiftlet breeding in populated areas.

Breeding of poultry, cattle and other animals are strictly regulated and disallowed in town areas, so why should it be any different for swiftlets?

While it is true that swiftlet breeding offers economic potential, it should be done in a controlled and regulated manner. Money-making is alright but must not be at the expense of the people’s quality of life.