By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, May 30: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer (CEO) Zolkipli Mohamad Aton urges bird’s nest operators to be transparent about their farms and other data so that the agency can assist them in applying for business licences.
Zolkipli emphasises that over 800 bird’s nest operators in the State do not currently have a valid licence.
Several bird’s nest operators raised the issue of asking the Sarawak government to make illegal bird’s nest farms legal during today’s ‘Dialogue between SFC and Sarawak Bird’s Nest Industry’ at the KCGC Innovation Hub here.
“As of today, only Mr Wong from Bird’s Nest Traders Association Sarikei Division has sent in the bird’s nest operators’ data.
“Other divisions, such as Bintulu, Miri, and Mukah, have yet to send in their information.
“We want to help bird’s nest operators apply for business licences; we are not collecting your information to arrest you,” Zolkipli told the operators.
He also stated that the data gathered from the bird’s nest operators can be used as facts by SFC when they approach the State government about legalising bird’s nest farms in Sarawak.
“We conducted a survey and discovered that there are over 800 illegal bird’s nest operators in the State, which is why the data collected is critical for us to bring the issue to the appropriate ministries as well as Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he added.
Furthermore, Zolkipli said that he wants to see the bird’s nest industry flourish but operators must adhere to the law.
“We wish to assist bird’s nest operators in legalising all bird’s nest farms in Sarawak, but everyone must cooperate,” he remarked.
Bird’s nest farmers can visit https://sarawakforestry.com/downloads/ to download the application form for bird’s nest farm licence. — DayakDaily
