KUCHING, May 21: Dudong assemblyman Dato Sri Tiong King Sing urges the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources (MUDENR) and Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to investigate the recent confiscation of bird’s nest stock worth RM2.5 million in Sibu.
He said SFC Sibu enforcement officers have allegedly seized the bird’s nest stock earlier this month, which has led to great losses on the part of the businesses involved.
“But there has been no reasons or explanations given for the SFC raid,” he said in a statement today.
Tiong who is also the Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Bintulu MP, further said that according to the companies, all of their affected businesses in the four shophouses possess bird’s nest licences issued by SFC, although one of them had expired.
“Regardless of the licence’s status, it does not give the enforcement units the right to seize those stocks without justification. Until now the enforcement units have kept the seized items and without any explanations.
“For an expired licence, the merchants should only be subject to fines. Why are their supplies being plundered in such an outrageous manner without cause?” he added.
He also called on the ministers in charge of the enforcement units to strive to get the views of the affected parties from time to time.
At the same time, Tiong cited another example of arrests related to fishing boats in waters that were only recently converted to national park status.
He said there had been no notices or dialogues to inform of the change but fishing vessels were detained for wandering into certain waters that are no longer open to fishing, which the Sarawak Fishing Vessels Association have described as improper enforcement.
“Despite attempts to negotiate with the enforcement authorities, they have insisted on settling the matter in court.
“In the end, the court ruled that the authorities did not enforce the law properly and the fishermen won the case.
“However, the fishermen still had to bear the losses from their damaged fishing boats and rotting fish. Who will compensate the fishermen for their losses?” he asked.
Tiong also said that he would seek to discuss the matter with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to find an amicable resolution. — DayakDaily
