An illegal extension on a shoplot in Desa Tanjung Murni, Chemor, and bird droppings can be seen in the vicinity. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
THE sound of chirping birds in the morning is generally regarded as pleasant.
However, for some folk in Perak, the sound proves to be an annoyance, particularly when it comes from a loudspeaker without respite even at night.
For a Desa Tanjung Murni resident in Chemor who wanted to be known only as K, the sound of chirping swiftlets from a loudspeaker has been a torment for him.
The 57-year-old believes the sound is coming from a structure built on top of a shophouse near his home, and he has been exposed to the noise since it started in 2020.
A wall of bricks has been put up behind the windows of the shoplot believed to be used for swiftlet farming.
“I believe swiftlet farming is being conducted there.
“I also believe that it is illegal to operate such a farm so close to residential homes.”
K said the chirping was played continuously every day to attract birds to the farm.
“Some days, during the morning or at about 6pm, the sound is louder.
“The volume will be lowered after 8pm but the chirping can still be heard, sometimes even at midnight.”
K said working from home under movement control orders during the Covid-19 pandemic was quite stressful.
“My family and I can hear the noises clearly even when we are in the living room.
“The constant sound of chirping is unbearable,” he said.
“My bedroom is located at the back of the house and I was getting stressed out by the sound, day and night.
“I have a heart problem and have not been able to get a good night’s sleep. It is affecting my daily life and work.”
He is also worried about the hygiene of the area in the vicinity of the suspected swiftlet farm.
“I fell sick a few weeks ago and being unable to get any proper rest, it prolonged my illness,” he added.
Raw and unprocessed birds’ nests contribute to lucrative incomes.
A check by StarMetro found an extended structure had been built on top of one of the shophouses, where the sound of chirping birds was believed to originate.
The sound could be heard along the back alley that separated the shophouses from the residential houses.
Some of the windows and doors of the shophouses had also been walled off with bricks.
Bird droppings could be seen staining the windows of some of the shophouses.
K, who declined to be named for fear of being targeted by the alleged swiftlet farm operator, said he had seen some “thuggish-looking” folk near the shophouses.
“They look like people you don’t want to mess with.
“I had wanted to approach them, to ask them to turn down the volume of the speaker but I was too afraid.”
K said many of his neighbours were not comfortable speaking openly about the issue.
He lodged a report to the Ipoh City Council (MBI) three years back and became wary after several cars kept driving slowly past his house, which he believes was a form of intimidation.
K and his family have been staying in the area since 2000.
“It used to be a nice and peaceful place, and it is also located near the Chemor public market.
“One of my neighbours moved out because of the noise,” he said.
“The thought of moving from this area has crossed my mind but I am unable to do so due to financial constraints.
“Even if I were to put my house up for sale, I doubt anyone would want to live here because they would be put off by the noise,” said K.
He questioned whether any action had been taken against the operator.
“I have been told by a city council officer that action had been taken. But the extended structure is still there and the chirping sound is still being played.
“I have even written to the Perak Government, state Health Department and, about three months ago, wrote to the Tambun MP’s service centre, hoping for a solution.
“I do not think a fine will deter the operator as the bird’s nest industry is quite lucrative, and the operator can easily afford to pay it.”
Another resident, who also declined to be named, said the swiftlet farm operation was affecting folks in the surrounding area.
“However, there is nothing we can do.
“I have met with the operator before and told him to keep the volume of the chirping down at certain hours but the noise still persists.
“It is useless to complain because the authorities won’t take action,” he said.
Ng: The city council should take immediate action on residents’ complaints.
Ipoh City Watch president Prof Dr Richard Ng said it was wrong to have a swiftlet farm operating so near residential houses.
The former Ipoh City councillor said there should be a buffer zone between all swiftlet farming sites and residential areas.
“I believe that under Section 72 of the Local Government Act 1976, such operations can be deemed a nuisance.
“A fine can be imposed and the structures can be demolished,” he said, adding that the state Health and Veterinary Services departments should also be involved to deter any illegal farming operations.
“The city council should not be slow in taking action or addressing such issues and it must see to these (complaints) immediately,” said Prof Ng.
Rumaizi: The owner cannot be contacted. We will bring the matter to court.
Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin, when contacted, said the city council had received a complaint about the matter.
“We have issued a nuisance abatement notice to the premises owner but they have failed to comply.
“We have also tried to contact the owner but failed as well,” he said, adding that the council would bring the matter to court.
Perak local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said she learnt from MBI that its officers could only inspect the shophouse from the outside.
“The city council officers found some renovations to the shophouse.
“They could not enter the premises and were unable to get concrete evidence for the next course of action,” she said.
Sandrea: Such activity is not allowed in a shop building bordering a residential area.
Referring to the Building and Land Use Class Order in the city council’s Local Plan 2035, Sandrea said such activity was classified under H2, for farming.
“In terms of planning, this activity is not allowed in the premises of the shop building bordering a residential area,” she explained.
She said MBI could consider taking action against the operator for illegal extensions made to the premises, nuisance and misuse of premises.
Meanwhile, Perak Veterinary Services Department (JPV) director Datuk Dr Ahmad Shafri Hassan said there were no specific acts to control swiftlet nesting operations but there was a guideline used by the authorities.
Dr Ahmad Shafri said the guideline was in line with the Local Government Act 1976 under Section 107 and 110 and also under the Animal Methods (Swiftlet Premises Registration), which allows the department to take action against operators.
“The guideline was created in 2010 and is the main guide for the department and other governmental agencies to monitor and control the industry sustainably.
“The guideline is used alongside other existing bylaws by the local councils,” he added.
Dr Ahmad Shafri: The minimum buffer zone between a housing area and swiftlet farm is 50m.
According to the guideline, there are several conditions for operating a swiftlet farm.
“The minimum buffer zone between a housing area and the farm is 50m,” said Dr Ahmad Shafri.
“These farms also need to register with us and operation licences are issued by the respective local councils.”
He also said that if there were complaints about noise from such operations, action could be taken under the local government bylaws, with technical advice from the department.
“According to the guideline, action can be taken under Sections 80, 81, 82 and 84 of the Local Government Act 1976,” he noted.
Under the Act, those who fail to comply with the nuisance order issued by the authorities will be subject to a fine or closure of operations.
On the swiftlet farming operations, the state JPV director said the volume could not be more than 40dB while the speaker must be angled upwards at 60° and be six metres from the premises’ outer wall.
“In the peninsula, chirping sounds are only allowed to be played between 7am and 10am and from 5pm to 8pm,” he said.
