(MY) get permits

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The Star 1 Dec 2005

 

Get permits, illegal swiftlet rearers told

 

BY DAVID TAN

 

BUTTERWORTH: People operating illegal swiftlet nests at their homes in

Seberang Prai must obtain permits before Dec 31, failing which they

risk having their nests destroyed.

 

Issuing the warning, Seberang Prai Municipal Council president Datuk

Md Aris Ariffin said that so far, only about 50 illegal operators had

applied for permits.

 

" These swiftlet nest operators have been operating in Seberang Prai

for the past four to five years.

 

" We did not take action against them in the past because there were no

clear guidelines on the business.

 

" Now that the Housing and Local Government Ministry has released the

guidelines, we are giving them till Dec 31 to apply for the necessary

permits.

 

" The permits will be approved in two to four weeks, " he told reporters

after chairing a full council meeting yesterday.

 

Md Aris said operators needed to pay RM240 for yearly permit and

another RM240 for the annual premises permit to use their buildings

for swiftlet nests .

 

" They will have to pay penalties for operating illegally all these

years, which would add up to about RM4,500 or RM4,600, inclusive of

the fees for the permits, " he said.

 

Md Aris said those who operated in locations that did not comply with

the new guidelines would be given temporary permits and a three-year

grace to relocate.

 

He also said that 90% of the swiftlet nest houses were located in

South Seberang Prai while the others were in Central Seberang Prai and

North Seberang Prai.

 

On another matter, Md Aris said the night market held at a parking lot

in Jalan Tenggiri, Seberang Jaya, would have to be relocated.

 

" The owner of the car park is going to build a petrol station on the property.

 

" We have approved the layout plan, " he said, adding that the council

would inform the operators of the night market soon.