The original tweeters

Every Friday, Khor Beng Huat lugs several large bird cages to Jalan Sri Cemerlang in Kota Baru, Kelantan, for the town’s weekly bird singing competition.

From 8am to 11am, the 68-year-old retired school teacher sits at the Arena Burung Candik, watching his Bulbuls sing their hearts out, along with over 500 other birds. This unusual event takes place in a field off the main road in the town centre, and many of the bird enthusiasts sitting on the sidelines watching the competition have been doing this for 15 years, which is how long the Persatuan Burung Candik Negeri Kelantan has been holding the event.