By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Feb 9: Bird lovers statewide want the Sarawak government to come up with an effective solution to solve what they claim to be unfair enforcement against those who keep native birds as their pets, as most of them have been waiting for a long time to have their permit applications approved by the relevant authorities.
A letter on the matter was handed over to Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting today during a bird-singing contest held at the Kampung Piasau Utara field.
The letter was presented by Kelab Pencinta Burung Kicau Miri chairman Mohd Azahar Bujang.
Also present was Miri mayor Adam Yii.
The letter contained a proposal that bird lovers who have yet to acquire permits to keep birds as pets to be given time to apply for the said permits.
According to the event organising chairman, Erwin Geoffry, the issue arose because bird lovers have been waiting for a long time for their permit application to be approved, but yet law enforcement personnel still carried out operations and seized their pet birds.
“Most of the bird lovers who are members of Kelab Pencinta Burung Kicau have applied for the permits but have yet to receive approval after Sarawak Forestry Coporation (SFC) took over the (enforcement) role from the Forest Department,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, nearly 400 native birds were fielded in today’s bird-singing contest.
An estimated 50 bird lovers from statewide converged at the Kampung Piasau Utara field for the one-day event. — DayakDaily
