By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 6: The Sarawak Bird’s Nest Merchant Association has urged the public not to judge the entire bird’s nest industry based on the recent RM81.8 million seizure involving a suspected illegal syndicate, saying most operators comply with regulations and support lawful trade.
In a recent statement, its president Loh Siaw Kuei said the association respects the ongoing police investigation and believes any suspected violations should be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
“The Association believes that any suspected violation of laws should be dealt with strictly in accordance with legal procedures to uphold the rule of law and maintain industry order,” he said.
Loh said the bird’s nest industry is a high-value agricultural sector with strong growth potential and a key contributor to Malaysia’s exports. However, he warned that isolated cases of non-compliance could harm its reputation.
“As the case is still under investigation, the entire bird’s nest industry should not be judged based on isolated incidents,” he said, adding that most operators have long complied with regulations and continue to work closely with government requirements.
He said most operators comply with requirements such as birdhouse registration, product traceability, hygiene standards and export regulations, supporting both national revenue and Sarawak’s economy.
At the same time, he said smaller operators, particularly SMEs may still require clearer guidance on licensing procedures across multiple agencies despite improvements in the regulatory framework.
He said the association is calling for stronger public awareness of regulatory requirements, improved coordination between agencies and a more efficient approval system to reduce procedural gaps that may lead to non-compliance.
Looking ahead, the association will continue working with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to conduct briefings, training and guidance programmes to strengthen compliance standards.
“Closer cooperation between the government and industry, and compliance with laws and quality standards, will help strengthen Sarawak’s bird’s nest sector and ensure its sustainable growth,” he said. — DayakDaily
