The Hollow - Swiftlet Haven

It will be 1 year now on 8th July 2010

2010-07-04T23:00:00.007+08:00

My swiftlet sanctuary will be 1 year old on 8th July 2010. Initially progress had been very slow. Maybe , due to the shape of the entrance and covered roving area which had scared away the swiftlets. The situation had improved now and swiftlets can be seen above the sanctuary chasing one another in the late evening and nests population had increased to 9 Nos. Also a lot of swiftlets were seen returning home at around 7.00 pm to 7.30 pm. The sanctuary also had some bad luck. It had been broken in thrice. The first time nothing was taken. the 2nd time 2 water pumps were taken away and the 3rd time which happened about 3 weeks ago, the burglers took away one amplifier and a few nests. Had also being spraying the sanctuary with EM and it seems to have attract more swiftlets staying in the sanctuary. While in the sanctuary last Friday, 2 swiftlets came flying in to play at around 1.30 pm. I have also have been testing my own homemade aroma which I called Ecstasy on certain parts of the sanctuary and will be monitoring the response. I sprayed this aroma directly on the nesting planks.

Ecstasy

Nest marking

Nest at corner and above tweeter

Nest marking at corner

Nest above tweeter

Nest marking

Nest forming above tweeter at corner

Nest already well formed

Nest at corner

Padlock dismantled by bugler

Padlock cover slightly ripped by bugler.

Nests starting to appear

2010-03-23T00:07:00.005+08:00

After 8 months and 10 days nests had started to appear, 1 almost fully developed. anotehr almost a half nest and 2 more just markings forming the nest base. . Birdshits!!. Well there a alot already. Hopefully more will be coming though a bit slow to our liking. There's a Malay saying, "Sedikit-sedikit lama-lama jadi bukit". Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Amost a full nest

Almost a half nest

Nest base

Another nest base

7 months on, Slowly but Surely

2010-02-08T22:38:00.007+08:00

Today, 07.02.2010, is exactly 7 months since I started switching on the sound to my swiftlet sanctuary. When I entered the sanctuary this morning, to my surprise there is a nest base at the corner of the nesting planks on the 3rd. Floor. In my earlier post, I had reported that I discovered a nest base but that was a false alarm as the base did not show any progress but this time it is for real. The past 3 months had been the month of slow growth everywhere where very few swiftlets were seen in the sky and even in the birdhouses. I just visited a birdhouse in Hulu Besut and the owners had been complaining about the slow progress for the past months but to their surprise when they visited the birdhouse yesterday after 2 weeks being away, there were 5 new nest bases. This shows that the breeding season is on and more nests and babies are on the way. In my sanctuary, I discovered a lot of bird shits on the 2nd and 3rd Floor, mostly below the tweeters, but so far only 1 nest base above the bird shit. I am positive that more nests will come with the breeding season already started. Most of the bird shits are on the 3rd Floor which is the brightest of the the 3 Floors. This would just dispel the myth that swiftlets like to stay in dark places.

1st. nest base at corner and besides tweeter

Bird shits above tweeter

1st. nest base

2009-12-14T14:27:00.005+08:00

After more than 3 weeks not going into the sanctuary, I went in yesterday and to my surprise there is already a nest base on the 3rd. floor and quite a number of bird shit spots on the 3rd floor and 2nd. Floor. 1 bird was on the the 2nd Floor when I went in at about 11.25 a.m. However, it flew out. It has been about 5 months since the sound was played in this sanctuary. Earlier on, it seems as if the birds are scared to come in due to the cave-like shape of the entrance and roving room which the birds are not familiar with. However with some modifications to the tweeters and opening of another entrance hole, it seems to be performing better now. At least the birds had started to make nest with one nest base observed on the 3rd . floor.

New entrance opening

1st, nest base on the 3rd. Floor

Bird shits

Unique project got a boost and showing encouraging progress.

2009-11-02T23:40:00.004+08:00

Due to the unpredictable temperature in the birdhouse which goes up to 36 Celcius during hot days, the owner had decided to install 2 nos of ultrasonic humidifier about a month ago. With this addition, the birdhouse seems to be showing very encouraging results. More birds were seen circling and entering the birdhouse during morning and late evening and inside the birdhouse more shit spots were observed and nest markings increase to 3 from 2. 2 of the markings are on styrofoam placed on the nesting planks.

Ultrasonic humidifier

Nest above the styrofoam

Another nest above the styrofoam

Entrepreneurs want a one-stop centre

2009-10-31T07:51:00.002+08:00

STAR METRO

Friday October 30, 2009

Entrepreneurs want a one-stop centre

By OH ING YEEN

A one-stop centre for issuing licences and permits relating to the bird’s nest industry will benefit entrepreneurs if it is given the green light.

This was one of the resolutions discussed by the Asia Bird’s Nest Conference recently.

Currently, the farmers have to apply for a premises licence from the local council to build the bird house and then apply for a harvesting licence from the Wildlife Department.

More than 250 participants from various states took part in the two-day swiftlet workshop held at the Paya Indah Wetlands, Dengkil. It was the third and last in a series of workshops that began in 2008.

The objective of the workshop was to get feedback from participants who had ventured into the industry and to discuss the problems they face and come up with solutions.

Other resolutions that were discussed include:

URGING the government to prepare complete guidelines for the industry; Research collaboration bet-ween the government and industry players should be created or continued and government consultancy services provided, if needed; and recognising the industry as an expanding one to market the products through a standardised brand name.

Halim Kepol, 44, from Batu Pahat, got to know about the industry from friends and the Internet and has spent RM135,000 building a bird house.

“I’m interested in this industry as I feel it has the potential to succeed.

“The workshop provided us a platform to discuss swiftlet-related issues and I’ve learnt a lot from the workshops,” he said.

Another participant Abu Hussin, a retiree, said the swiftlet business was booming in Alor Gajah, Malacca.

“It’s a good opportunity as there is guidance and aid provided for swiftlet nest entrepreneurs.

“Moreover, there’s not much competition and the risk is low,” he said.

Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Rasid Samsudin said Perhilitan’s role was mainly in conservation.

When asked for his comments about Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s call to ban swiftlet farming, he said the industry should not be discouraged but should be controlled.

“It has to be done on agricultural land, away from the urban areas,” he said.

A total of 16 public awareness programmes have been carried out from 2008 till June this year.

Seeking Divine Intervention

2009-10-18T20:06:00.008+08:00

Ever since I started the design on the swiftlet sanctuary I always have a Buddha statue in mind as part of the hardscape for the garden in front of the dog kennel roving room. I have built a concrete platform for that purpose. While sourcing for the statue I had put a jungle fern in its place. Yesterday, I managed to secure the statue from a friend at the Vihara. It was about 1 feet high though I would prefer a bigger one about 2 feet high. However, this is the best gift that I had ever received. Today, the statue is put at the predetermined place and I have moved the jungle fern to the corner of the pool in front of the dog kennel roving room.

Harry in one of his posts had talked of someone who used the Buddha Statue to lure the swiftlets to enter his birdhouse and it seems to work. Though this is not my main intention, I sincerely hope and pray to Lord Buddha to let my swiftlet sanctuary be a true home to all swiftlets and swiftlets will reciprocate by making lots of nest for me and my partner.

To the Lord Buddha, here's my prayers.

Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato samma sambuddhasa
Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato samma sambuddhasa
Namo tassa, bhagavato, arahato, samma sambuddhasa
Buddham saranam gacchami,
Dhammam saranam gacchami,
Sangham saranam gacchami.
Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami,
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami,
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami.
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami,
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami,
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami.
Meaning:
- Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The Supremely Enlightened One
- Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The Supremely Enlightened One
- Homage to Him, the Exalted One, the Worthy One, The Supremely Enlightened One
- I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
- I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
- I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
- For the second time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
- For the second time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
- For the second time, I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
- For the third time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
- For the third time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
- For the third time, I go to the Sangha as my refuge.

Its Blog Action Day '09 Today

2009-10-15T22:00:00.003+08:00

Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. Blog Action Day 2009 will be one of the largest-ever social change events on the web.

Bloggers and everyone else for that matter have to become responsible and global-minded citizens. While we still have leaders who want to do the right thing, Big Oil, Coal, Finance, Agriculture and even Big Politics (to cite a few examples) continue to pursue narrow short-term and self-serving agendas, and actively conceal and spin the truth.

So it’s up to us to live in a way that promotes values and practices which will perpetuate a balanced and healthy life for all of us, and the planet. The era of indulgence and self-interest is over. It’s now so evident that humans are all one living organism with each other and the planet in undeniable symbiosis, that hopefully this will propel cooperation, consideration and the sustainability of the future.

Let's take action NOW on climate change, Go to www.blogactionday.org and get yourself registered

Sour Grapes

2009-09-19T23:56:00.008+08:00

This is what Wikipedia says:

Sour grapes is an expression originating from the Aesop Fable The Fox and the Grapes. It always refers to an unattainable goal and human reaction to it. It can mean to deny desire for the unattainable item. More often, it refers to the nature of humans to rationalize why they wouldn't want it anyway. The phrase has come to be synonymous with bitterness in most modern contexts.

and this is what I found in Thesauraus.com.

Main Entry:	sour grapes
Part of Speech:	noun
Definition:	affected scorn
Synonyms:	bad-mouthing, derogation, disappointment, disparagement, ill-will, resentment

The sour grapes that I am referring to are my readers who had been making sarcastic comments and dare not reveal their identity. I am sure it also happened to my fellow bloggers like Harry and James. We are here blogging because of our interest and passion for swiftlet farming and we are not out to offend or mislead anybody. Readers who feel uneasy about any of the writings in this blog can just close the blog.

I would like to post a comment which I received on 18th September 2009 for all to judge whether this person who makes the comment is a sour grape. First of all he chose to remain anonymous. The 2nd thing is his English is lousy and the 3rd thing he is not so clever. I never write anything about either the external sound or the internal sound and he had the chick to say that I do not know how to fix the tweeter in a proper way and I am talking cock. I only show a photo of a tweeter with nest marking on it.

Here is Mr. Anonymous comment which I had rejected from publishing in my post 'Unique project after 6 months showing positive sign'.

'a person even dont know how to fix an tweeter in an proper way wanted to talk cock in web' - Anonymous

An tweeter?? An proper way??. First of all where did you learn your English and hope you polish up your English before making further comments and if you make comments the next time, please have the guts to put down your real name or known nick name.

Just would like to ask Mr. Anonymous where did you learn to fix tweeters. It can be in series or in parallel but for me it doesn't matter as long as the sound is audible and clear. If my sound is not good and wrongly fixed why then the swiftlet has started to make nest above the tweeter.

A word of advice to you Mr. Anonymous. There is a saying, Many Roads Lead to Rome. Having gone to one or two seiminars and having read a few swiftlet books doesn't mean that what you have learnt everything and all are correct and whatever that differ from what you know are all wrong. Swiftlet farming or whatever you want to call it, is both an art and a science. In science it is definite and systematic but in art it is skill, innovation and creativity. Nobody until now dare to say that they can make the swiftlets build a certain number of nests over a certain period of time and guarantee it. Not the money back guarantee. My dear Mr. Anonymous, 80% still failed in swiftlet framing and only 20% had succeeded so far. So, its better you shut up and don't ever visit my blog again if you have nothing good to say or to contribute. Ask yourself whether you have talked cock or I talk cock. You are really a chicken who hide under the name of ANONYMOUS. Hope the next time if you ever comment again, you will reveal your identity. Be Gentlemanlah.

CHEERS TO ALL MY READERS AND SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN TO ALL MY MUSLIM FRIENDS

My Roof Top Garden and My Swiftlet Sanctuary

2009-09-19T07:55:00.015+08:00

Yesterday, my kids managed to collect some water lilies and fishes from a nearby swamp. These water lilies and fishes were put into my roof top pond to enhance my roof top garden which had started blooming with plants. My sanctuary is in the 2nd month running. There are many swiftlets swarming above and only after 7.00 pm did some swiftlets came down low to circle the roving area and enter the sanctuary through this garden enclosure. So far, there isn't much bird shit spots yet. . All the conditions seems to be right now. All the minor leakages and related problems had been repaired and overcomed and the pond had been waterproofed by the expert. The roving area had been made darker by a coat of black aroma paint. The sounds have been good. The temperature and humidity have been excellent. (see photo below). Let's be patient and wait for another month to see the progress.

Roof top garden with pool and fountain

Fish and water lilies

Water lilies

Water lily close up

My kid ready to go fishing

One of my kids catching fish and collecting water lilies as well

Temperature and humidity on 3rd. Floor

Mega birdhouses in KT

2009-09-18T19:51:00.006+08:00

This is a story about 'from rags to riches'. The persons who build these birdhouses started with a humble beginning. One is a backhoe driver and another a construction machinery and equipment mechanic and both teamed up to set up a mobile crane hiring company which later expanded into piling. For the past 20 odd years they had been busy doing jobs all over the country and due to their hard work and diligence, they had managed to amass a fortune which they invested in a property in BR in the outskirt of Kuala Terengganu. In this property they first started to build their workshops, office and precast concrete piling factory. When they started planning their workers quarters they had the birdhouse in mind and they finally constructed a massive 5 storey BH with the lower 2 floors as their staff living quarters. Not satisfied with one, they built another 5 storey birdhouse next door. And still not satisfied, they build another 6 storey birdhouse nearby. I am sure they know what is best for them. Rather than putting their fortune in FD or shares, they prefer the passive income from birdnest. Let us wish both of them the best of luck and may both of you be blessed with good fortune.

This is the 1st birhouse built in the property. The 1st 2 floors are living quarters for the staff.

This is the 2nd birdhouse built in the same property. All 5 floors are birdhouses

This is the 3rd and latest addition built in the same property. It is 6 storey building The ground floor is left vacant. Observe the sleek and stylish polycarbonate roof covering the dog kennel roving room. Also, there is another entrance on the 4th. Floor. This is neccessary as swiftlets might get lost or would not go to the lower floor as the number of floors exceed three and the LALs are not arranged as one air well.

2nd Anniversary of Tirok Swiftlet Farm

2009-09-15T07:14:00.004+08:00

13th September 2009 marked the 2nd anniversary of Tirok Swiftlet Farm. It has been a long journey to come to this far. This was the first farm in Kg. Tirok and since then 12 farms have been in operation and a few more is coming up. Kg. Tirok is on the swiftlets path and also one of the feeding grounds but is not been popular choice for swiftlet farmers as growth has been slow compared to other areas such as Wakaf Tapai, Telemong and Kuala Berang. As on 12th September 2009, the nest counts stands at 138, of which 69 had been harvested. Whether this is a success or failure, lets keep an open mind. What I can tell the readers is that I was at the farm yesterday at around 6.30 p.m there are a lot of young swiftlets flying around and entering the farm. To tell the truth, to go this far is not an easy task. It is not just sitting down and relax. I have to do a lot of reading, books and articles and the blogs in the internet helps. I would like thank Harry for giving so much information in the net. However you have to take the information at face value and you have the right not to follow what he preaches. You have to use your own judgement and a lot of common sense. Low Yat Net is also a good forum. Many are unselfish to share their information especially West Wing but there are some who are 'rotten' and cannot take criticism.

The macros and micros are important besides the sound, both external and internal. Aromas do play a part but this is subjective. Other than that, the most important is observation. Keep on monitoring from outside and inside to see that everything is in order.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Unique project after 6 months showing positive sign

2009-08-31T10:26:00.005+08:00

I had mentioned that I had commissioned a unique project in my 29th February 2009 post and in my 20th April 2009 post I mentioned I had to report to the management of this birdhouse monthly on the progress made and I created an inspection form for that purpose. I have been doing the inspection almost every month and reporting to them. It had been quite a long wait. For the last five (5) month, there were bird shit spots but no nest markings . However, on my last visit yesterday, I was happy to see one (1) new bird shit spot located at a brighter part of the birdhouse and two (2) newly-built nest markings. This to me is a great relieve because this bird house is in a roof with roof trusses all over and I had build the shelter in the center which is free of trusses. This shelter is in the central swiftlet district and the growth is supposed to be quite fast but I am experiencing a slightly slow growth partly due to the swiftlets adapting to the new surrounding which is different from the others around. I also have difficulty controlling the temperature and humidity especially during the hot days eventhough the roof had been insulated with double sided aluminium paper and woodwool. I had made improvements by sealing all the sides of roof making the roof darker and also making variation in temperature and humidity lesser between day time and night. I had been using water fountain and not the taiwan type humidifier previously because of the wetness which will damage the ceiling below. I will be recommending the ultrasonic humidifiers to the management so as to improve the temperature and humidity.

Sanctuary fully completed and in full swing

2009-08-19T21:38:00.007+08:00

At last, I have completed all the works for the sanctuary and the last thing that I did was to clear the rubbish and leftovers in front of my sanctuary. I have also got back the fountain on the roof in front of the entrance hole in working order. What I need to do now is to observe the swiftlets flying above my sanctuary, watching their behavior, so that I can do the adjustments, if necessary, to attract them into my sanctuary. I hope I don't have to carry out anymore repairs and if there were any if would only be minor which I can do on my own. I have sorted out the construction costs with my partner and what I can tell my readers is that it cost about RM32 per sq ft, all-in, to DIY this sanctuary.

View of Sanctuary from main road

Fountain and Pool in front of Entrance Hole

Birdhouse for Sale in Kuala Terengganu

2009-08-19T00:50:00.006+08:00

The owner had asked me to put up this advertisement. It is a 3 1/2 storey birdhouse, 8m x 24m, and situated along the new Binjai Rendah - Rawai main road in Rawai, Bukit Payong, Kuala Terengganu. The total land area is 8 acres. This BH started operation about 6 months ago and currently have about 40 nests. The land is freehold and asking price is RM2.5 million. Those who are interested can call 0199343828.

Front View of Birdhouse

View from the back

Panaromic view of land (1) - opposite side of road is still part of land

Panaromic view of land (2)

Panaromic view of land (3)

Birdhouse during construction

Agriculture Land for Sale in Kuala Terengganu

2009-08-16T21:44:00.002+08:00

There is a piece of agricultural land for sale in Mukim Belara, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. This land is planted with matured oil palm It is along the alternative main trunk road from Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Berang and along the bank of Sungai Terengganu which is the the superhighway for swiftlets from Kuala Terengganu to the interrior. Just a few kilometers away from the Telemong Interchange of the East Coast Highway. Ideal for swiftlet farming and open to non-Malays. Land area is 8.8 acres and asking price is RM 1 million. Those who are interested can call 0199343828 for further details.

I Love Living Life, I Am Happy

2009-08-14T08:05:00.005+08:00

While others are dissatisfied with life, cursing, insinuating, bad-mouthing and worst of all doing nothing positive, this guy who is without limbs is loving life.

Roof repaired

2009-08-12T20:21:00.009+08:00

My workers had finished installing the metaldeck roof over the flat roof on both sides of my sanctuary leaving only the middle portion with pools. The leaks have all gone and I feel a great relief. However, the roof over the roving room which I had painted the top with 2 coats of elastomeric liquid waterproof membrane shows a slight leak when it rained this afternoon and it seems to come from a hairline crack on the side of the roof which was not painted. I will have to purchase a 5 litre can tomorrow and have that portion painted. With that touch-up, I hope have resolved the leakage problem. When I was at the sanctuary today, I was surprised at the number of swiftlets circling the sanctuary. They were still circling the sanctuary at 1.00 pm. Perhaps they liked the blue-coloured metaldeck roof which I had just installed.

View of entrance after renovation

View of the entrance from the back

View of metaldeck roof on the right side of entrance

Another view of the metaldeck roof from the back

It has been 3 weeks now

2009-08-01T00:18:00.003+08:00

I had switched on the bird sound for 3 weeks now. Progress made has been very encouraging. Swiftlets have been circling my sanctuary even during odd hours like 10.00 a.m and 11.00 a.m. In the late afternoon, most of swiftlets were seen circling my 4 ways tweeter and hexagonal tweeter . So far, I have found 3 bird shit spots on the 3rd. Floor . One of the spots is directly above the tweeter. One problem that has been nagging me is the leakage on the roof and I had decided once for all to make do without 6 0f the pools on the roof and cover them up with metal deck. I will still be retaining 2 of the 8 pools I had on the roof top.

It has already been a week

2009-07-16T04:14:00.007+08:00

My swiftlet sanctuary has already been a week in operation. In operation here means that I had the sound switched on permanently. During the past 1 week I have been fine tuning the swiftlet sanctuary, getting the sounds right, the aroma sprayed and getting the water fountain and mist device set up on the 1st floor. Besides a minor leak on the roof, everything is getting on fine. Yesterday I noticed there are 2 birdshit spot on the 3rd. Floor. This floor is the brightest among the floors and yet this is where the swiftlets are starting to roost. So for those who said that the BH has to be very dark, what say you?. I don't have to paint all the wall and ceiling black either. On this floor I had applied the LP aroma and may be it works. So James, its 1 up for you.!!! I was at the sanctuary from 6 pm to 7.40 pm yesterday. The are many swiftlets flying above but none seem to be entering the sanctuary until it was about 7.30 pm where are 4 swiftlets that went in and out playing in the roving area. This might be the swiftlets contributes to the 2 spots of birdshit in the sanctuary

Birdshit spot

Another birdshit spot

Fountain and mist device on 1st. Floor

Fountain and mist device seen from the top

Bird Bonanza

2009-07-15T07:51:00.002+08:00

By Andrew Marshall

Ultrasonic humidifier? Check. Swiftlet Bazooka Tweeter? Check. Feces powder? Er, check. All you need now is a multistory house with no doors or windows but plenty of holes, and you're almost ready to join one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing cottage industries: harvesting edible birds' nests.

ou'll also need birds, of course — lots of them. That's the tricky part.

Edible birds' nests are the handiwork of the swiftlet, a small bird found mostly in Southeast Asia that builds its nests from its saliva. Bird's-nest soup is an expensive delicacy served across the Chinese-speaking world, and the basic ingredient is in such demand that nests are sometimes called "white gold" or the "caviar of the East." In Bangkok, an 11-oz. (300 g) box can cost $2,600, while so-called health drinks comprising just 1.1% nest sell for $4 a jar. Aficionados attribute nests with the power to treat everything from cold sores to tuberculosis, and to boost both longevity and sexual prowess.

Until recently, nests were mainly harvested from caves in the wild, and the trade was dominated by a ruthless and well-connected élite. Now, fueled by insatiable demand from prospering China, a regional boom in farming nests in purpose-built birdhouses — "swiftlet condos," as they're sometimes called — is democratizing the business. "It's recession-proof," enthuses Harry Kok, a retired Malaysian engineer who owns or has shares in five birdhouses and writes a blog on the subject from his Kuala Lumpur home. "The overheads are minimal. You don't have a factory with so many workers. Right now, those who have birdhouses are smiling."The business has expanded so fast, and with such little oversight, that reliable numbers are hard to come by. There are perhaps 10,000 swiftlet buildings in Malaysia alone, which each year produce 144 metric tons of nests worth $160 million, reports the Malaysian government news agency Bernama. Nests from Thailand's 600 or more condos could be worth another $60 million, according to a 2007 Thai study, "Swiftlet Birds' Nests: Power, Conflict and Riches," by independent researcher Kasem Jandam. Judging by the number of swiftlet condos appearing in many Thai towns, these figures are probably gross underestimates. In Indonesia, the world's largest supplier, the industry is bigger than Malaysia's and Thailand's combined. Hong Kong, a major consumer, imported nests worth $276 million last year, up from $204 million in 2006, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

he little swiftlet has hatched a billion-dollar global business, including a subindustry of how-to books and bloggers who share tips on birdhouse construction and equipment. As with most properties, the value of a birdhouse depends on three factors: location, location, location. Before building one, advises Kok, you must survey the skies for a regular passage of swiftlets. Once constructed — a three-story birdhouse with room for about 40,000 nests costs roughly $100,000 — you must attract tenants. The maker of the Swiftlet Bazooka Tweeter claims it can broadcast "love calls" to birds flying up to a mile away. Humidifiers keep the interior of the house attractively damp like the caves swiftlets prefer. And don't forget your feces powder: bird droppings mixed with ammonium bicarbonate which, when sprinkled on the floor, make a new birdhouse smell like a well-established one.

Even if you build it, they don't always come. Up to two-thirds of birdhouses fail to attract a self-supporting colony of birds, estimates Kok. "We don't really understand them," he says. "They are wild animals. We find that they like to stay in dark areas. But at one hotel in Malacca they are nesting in bright light." Lucky producers can harvest two to four pounds of nests a month, worth up to $500 per pound ($1,100 per kg). Middlemen are buying up all the nests they can source, usually as quietly as possible. "They come to your doorstep and pay you cash," says Kok. "This business is a very secretive thing, because they're not paying any tax to the government. Everyone is doing it on an illegal or secret basis, where you declare 10 kilos but you are selling 1,000 kilos."

In some respects, the birdhouse business resembles the trade in nests harvested from the wild, a side of the industry that is murky and sometimes violent; in the past, only those with money, muscle and good political connections prospered. In Thailand, fewer than a dozen companies harvest nests from some 170 islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, in return for paying multimillion-dollar concession fees to the government. The remote islands are guarded by dozens of armed men — in effect private armies — and are often run "like independent states," says Jandam, the author of the industry study. Companies discourage all visitors, claiming they might disrupt the birds' habitat. In Koh Si Koh Ha, a string of islands in Phatthalung province, 14 suspected nest thieves were shot dead in two separate incidents in the early 1990s.

The connection between nests and violence continues to this day. The island of Koh Mak gets about $1.1 million in nest revenue every year, eight times more than the budget of some other Phatthalung subdistricts unblessed by nesting swiftlets. In 1997, the Thai government passed legislation to make the industry more transparent and ensure that government revenue from concessions is funneled back into local communities. But a string of unsolved murders on Koh Mak indicates hazardous aspects of the harvesting trade linger. Pradit Jariya, 35, has been administrative chief of the island for a year now. It's quite an achievement, considering the fates of the three subdistrict chiefs before him. Last July, his predecessor was sitting by a lagoon when the M-16-toting occupants of a speedboat pumped into him what one Thai newspaper termed "many tens of bullets." The man had been chief for just three months. The chief before him had lasted 10 months before being gunned down. And the chief before him met the same fate after eight months. None of the murders have been solved.

Given the risks of wild harvests, it's little wonder that the smart money has moved into the more genteel birdhouse business — although here, too, there are complications. Swiftlet condos have become local eyesores. Because nest theft is common, the untreated concrete structures often resemble secret weapons facilities, their roofs adorned with barbed wire and electric fences. Bird droppings are a potential health threat, too, while in some towns, the constant noise from Swiftlet Bazooka Tweeters and other callers has become "unbearable," admits Kok.

So far, the authorities in Southeast Asian countries have not been able to control the building, never mind collect taxes on the profits. But the industry is growing too big to ignore, and there are signs that it might not stay lightly regulated for much longer. Last year Malaysian forestry officials and police raided more than a dozen illegal swiftlet farms across Sarawak, a state where only two of an estimated 1,500 birdhouses have licenses. The rest contravene local wildlife-protection laws that forbid swiftlet farms in urban areas. Sarawak's once profitable industry is grounded for now. But with unflagging demand from China, and increasing numbers of birdhouses popping up in Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines, the regionwide trade in birds' nests is heading in only one direction: upward.

To read the actual write-up, visit :

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1909458,00.html

The Hollow Is Ready To Welcome The Swiftlets

2009-07-07T22:14:00.004+08:00

After 8 months of waiting, the Hollow is now ready to welcome the swiftlets. All the finishing touches were carried out today and tomorrow, 08.07.09, will mark the opening of my swiftlet sanctuary. I will be switching on the bird sounds permanently. I have 3 types, namely, external, pooling and internal. As can been seen from the video below I have a 4 directional speaker to play the external sound and a hexagon tweeter to play the pooling sound.

Tomorrow, I will be putting in the aroma and switching on the bird sounds to mark the opening of the sanctuary. I will be setting the timers for the amplifiers, the water pumps and the roof top light. I will keep my readers informed on the progress of the sanctuary from time to time.

The video above shows the fountains, the surrounding pools and the interior of the sanctuary focussing on the roving area. It took me guite sometime to get the plumbing works for the fountains and the pools ready. There are minor leakages which need to be attended and rectified before the fountains can be operated.

Plumber fixing the roof top pump

The 4-way speaker, hexagonal tweeter and night light

Solidarity To A Fellow Blogger - Love Potion

2009-06-19T21:43:00.012+08:00

I will be using Love Potion which I had bought from James and will be using it on a portion of the sanctuary. For me, if the aroma doesn't work, let it be as it is me and not him at fault for believing in the product. If the aroma doesn't work, there won't be any reorder from him and he could have closed shop. There could have been so many another reasons as well for the aroma not to perform. As for me, I always keep an open mind, act wisely, no sarcam, no bad-mouthing and have a good heart.

There is a group in Low Yat Forum who is trying to discredit him saying that his aroma is useless while they themselves had not tried them, only grapevine from fellow forumners. James had hit back in his blog titled 'Rots amongst the Sour Grapes'. As solidarty to my fellow blogger I produced the write-up in full for all to read. Your comments welcomed.

Rot Amongst the Sour Grapes

Does anyone know why the failed percentage of farm is so high? I guess not..

The reason is, the mentalities of those in this industry are the rots that make what swiftlet farming are today. Instead of contributing to the industry with ideas, information, etc they actually bad mouth others or trying to mislead others and trying to demobilize or prevent dissemination of good information and products that could help the Swiftlet farming industry. They work in groups systematically when one appeared the other follow. They hide behind forums bash and sabotage others. When you look at the "nick" you know there are the same groups of people. When you ask them for information or there is no bashing they disappeared or never reply. They plant the same tactic in all forums. That is the most lousy strategy to discredit others. I hope they are smart enough to understand this.

Forum is people's idea and they jump into it and comment. It is not their ideas. They have no idea at all merely just jump into it to comment. There are just like stray dogs, one of them is biting and barking the rest will follow . The aftermath when you ask them why did you do it? their answers are "I don't know. People do, I do, they asked me to follow I follow lah!" If they have ideas and wanted to share then they should have started a blog of their own. Many had started it, some, even the contents of their blogs are not much but they showed the spirit of sharing not having hidden agenda like those. I really respect all these bloggers, Salute all you bloggers!

These groups thought readers are stupid. They undermined the intelligence of readers. These are the same groups that had been repeating the same bashing and discredit again and again the bolggers.The same old strategy of discredit was used. Why over the years only the same groups? The same old story? There are definitely something hidden under the rocks. How come only these groups? Certainly very fishy here. Even a little boy can tells.

These are the people that happy to see you fails. Perhaps Bloggers are the people that exposed too much of the industry where many can no longer "cari makan" easily or their friends and mentors or Sifus goods are not moving as fast as before (rivalry).Therefore all these tactics were applied. That is why bloggers are being hated and being sabotaged. Well I guess all Swiftlet farming bloggers can't run away from all these because if it can happen to political bloggers (demoralise, threatening...etc) then what is Swiftlet farming Bloggers. "kacang putih lah" go to forum register and blast lah all will follow or ask someone to bashlah, Malaysia culture"

These people never happy to see other rise or own a successful farm because if you do they feel threaten. There are many like them, so how can we expect the Swiftlet farming industry to move forward? I can't blame the little napoleon in the authority finding ways to make it hard for them especially Sarawak. Look how it hits Sarawak why not other states? Is Sarawak farmers are easier to bully? No, it has been made what it is. Some claimed to be respectable person in the society but looking at their harsh uncalled for comments which touch on people personal life and religion, do you think it is appropriate? Some of them are not young there are at their golden age but the mentality is a problem. They could be my grand father. Grow up please. Soon you are nearing to god.

A good mentor or a respectable Sifu or someone wants to be respected by others must have the ability to provide information to others, willingly to teach, willing to see his disciples succeed and never bad mouth others. Whenever someone is better then them they felt threaten, this is just very much like the feudal time. I guess there are still in it. Therefore all ways were done to sabotage those who could help the Swiftlet farmers being information or products.

The good ones are those Swiftlet bloggers. They had contributed intensively to the industry by providing free information. Did all these rotten sour grapes ever thank them for providing info? Being good or bad information.

No, none of them will do that. There only believe in receiving and bashing others but not providing or giving.

When you ask them to contribute their ideas to the problem solving of the Licensing and unfair guidelines facing by all farmers. They were no where to be seen or heard in the forum. When time for uncalled bashing and condemns others they will be there 1st to appear. Perhaps they have been order to to this. From here you can see clearly they are not pioneer forumers which from year 2007. These groups join just months ago. They appear once a while to sabotage. Let it be. God knows who they are linked to.

Those days without the Swiflet farming blogs for information pertaining to Swiftlet farming one has to travel to neighbouring country. Even getting Nugroho books was a problem. Not the case now. Much information was exposed thanks to all these bloggers. Books and Cds were available on blogs.

After all had been said, all are very much link to business rivalry and sabotage. I guess that is human nature there are bad and good. Well to me my conscious is very clear. If we do good and God is with us, whatever and no matter what these rotten sour grapes group did which is evil shall not be succeed.

I had experienced this many times before. “The more they bashed the more I sell”.

Thank you God. Thank you God. Thank you God.

Hope one day their mentality would change for the good of themselves, the society and Swiftlet farming. I still have hope in them.

"God bless them"

......

I would prefer "God Blast Them" but I hope God would not do that because I have a good heart and don't pray for such disaster

Swiftlet Sanctuary About Ready To Receive Swiftlets

2009-06-19T20:26:00.013+08:00

There have been little report on the progress of my swiftlet sanctuary lately. Today, I would like to inform that my sanctuary is almost ready. I am calling my birdhouse a sanctuary because this is what the place really is that, a shelter conducive for swiftlets to stay. The sound system has been installed and the electricity has been connected. The plumbing works with fountains and internal drainage is almost completed with only minor pipe works still to be carried out. Though there is a stream flowing through, I will not be using the stream water. I have engaged a contractor to bore into the ground and I will be using underground water for my ponds and fountains as well as for daily use. My workers is doing the cleaning up, cleaning the floors and scrapping left over concrete from the affected nesting planks. My workers will also be patching the holes left by the plumbing works and will waterproofed them as well as waterproofing part of the roof slab which have hairline cracks. All these works will take another few days to complete and hopefully I will be able to commission my sanctuary by 1st july 2009. I have picked a few aromas to apply prior to commissioning the sanctuary. I will by applying different aromas to different parts of the sanctuary, one into the plastic containers on the floor, one into the water fountain on the 1st floor, one to the walls and a portion of the nesting planks. Lets see which part will have the nest first.

On top of the Hollow

1st., 2nd. and 3rd. floor topped up with a layer of wire mesh
and 1 1/2 inch cement mortar to strengthen the floor slab

Piping works to pool

4-way tweeter and hexagonal tweeter on top of pole

Another view of 4-way tweeter and hexagonal tweeter
The Hollow mouth is open wide to welcome the swiftlets.
Notice the tweeters at the corner and edge

Sound System Installed

2009-06-10T09:39:00.004+08:00

The sound system to the swiftlet sanctuary has been installed and operational. I decided to make a sound test in the evening yesterday and this is the result. See video below.

Prophecy

2009-06-08T20:42:00.006+08:00

Today I would like to deviate from my usual topic on swiftlet farming. I would like to talk about prophecy. From Thesaurus.com, one of the defination is as follows:-

Main Entry:	prophecy
Part of Speech:	noun
Definition:	Something that is foretold by or as if by supernatural means.
Synonyms:	divination, oracle, soothsaying, vaticination, vision

This prophecy had to do with the current political climate and the PAS Muktamar. This prophecy is told to me by an Indian friend who is closed to an 80 year old Indian lady who had set out 2 temples, one in Kuala Terengganu and one in Kuala Lumpur. This Indian lady seems to have divine powers and had made accurate predictions like the tsunami occuring in Malaysia and the recent defeat of the Sri Lankan Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE. She had documented her predictions into a book and only available to close circle of friends. My Indian friend used to chauffered her when she comes to Kuala Terengganu and a few of the predictions that she narrated to him are :

1. China and India will one day become super powers
2. China will bomb Kuala Lumpur one day
3. Kuala Terengganu will become the capital of Malaysia one day.

Piecing together the predictions above basing on the current political scenerio, I believed this could possibly happened and looks very scary. As we have seen, DAP, PKR and PAS had teamed up in a marriage of convenience to topple the BN Government and is targeting PRU 13 as their main target to take over the Federal Government. These 3 parties had such diverse ideologies that logically they can't work together and sooner or later they will go their separate ways. This is proven in the recent PAS Muktamar where they show their true colours and among the decisions which had made the non-Malays support the PR in PRU 12, that is, to work with UMNO on a unity government and support the DEB. All this while, PAS has persevered, sacrificing their principles and ideology just to make up the numbers to knock out BN. If PR were to come to power with the help, of course, from the non-Malays, in PRU 13 and if PAS were not given the role ruled out in their recent Muktamar, I am sure they will gang up with UMNO to form a new government and PAS would be given the role to lead. This time around the Prime Minister will be from PAS and PAS have a free hand to implement Islamic Law. the disgruntled non-Malays who ahd been supporting them in PR could go made and create trouble and PAS control government having abolished the 'ISA' could not control the situation and the result is bloodshed among the major races and the one of the super powers mentioned earlier seeing their people being annihilated will strike back and bombed Kuala Lumpur, the center of all troubles. Having suffered devasting damages which would take years to recover, the Government decided to shift the Federal Capital to Kuala Terengganu, which would be very safe from trouble as 97% of the population are all Malays.

Simple but Hard

2009-05-27T07:37:00.007+08:00

I was attracted to Swifjames article on It is Dam Simple The Truth It is Dam Hard. This is really true and he seems to be a wise swiftlet farmer. My wife's family farm which is almost 1 year and 9 months old and the pioneer farm in Tirok has about slightly more than 100 nests, a figure which many swiftlet successful farmers would think is not encouraging. But I would like to tell my readers that this not so. In my area in Tirok and the surrounding areas, there are now more than 10 standalone farms. I have checked with other owners and found that the result is almost similar, in fact less encouraging than mine. Most of the farms have not reached the 50 nests mark yet. This area is in the swiftlets flight path and they prefer to go home to KT town to roast.

To those who look down on my farm (I know of one boostful guy in the net) I challenge them to come and build one in Tirok. I can look for land in Tirok, whether they want to JV with the land owner or to buy them I can arrange.

There is a birdhouse which is already 4 storey high and is currently renovating to 5 storey. Though I haven't check with the owner, I guessed the result is not very encouraging and he added an additional floor solely to make the building higher, to be above all the tall trees to attract the swiftlets flying over. There are no other reasons for him to add another floor as the birdhouse is already huge, and when full, as the Hockkiens say, "ciak beh liao". This owner had owned a few birdhouses in town and this is his 1st. standalone. It is already hard building above shophouses in town and it is more difficult building standalone far away from the walet central.

I have passed through many standalone farms in KT, mostly in the outskirts, in the evening and did not see any activities. These could be among the 80% failed farms. You need knowledge and intelligence to be successful. Preserverance is not enough.

To quote James,

"One thing most Swiftlet farmers must need to know is that Swiftlet farming looks dam easy to do and the truth is dam hard to be done which most have to swallow.Commonly most would think that just get a building , close all the windows , open a hole, install some planks, fix the sound system that's about it and wait for the money to pour in."

Good External Sound Attracts Swiftlets Into Birdhouse

2009-05-24T23:59:00.010+08:00

Today, I took the opportunity to visit my other birdhouse to replace the external sound. It is not really a new sound because this sound is already being used in this birdhouse but had been combined with other sound tracks in one pen drive. I was at this birdhouse last Friday afternoon observing the swiftlets. A friend standing beside me pointed out that the swiftlets were attracted to only a particular sound track and would respond by coming down close to the birdhouse, circling the hexagonal tweeter to the extent of kissing them and then diving into the entrance holes, the big one facing the river and smaller one facing the return flight path. I decided to pay attention to this particular sound track and when I went home that night I immediately went through my sound collections. I noticed it is the one which I downloaded from one of the swiftlet blog site. I am not going to reveal which blog but if you are one of the diehard swiftlet farmer who reads all the swiftlet blogs you will be able to locate this external sound. It is so good and is FOC. Thanks to this blogger for sharing. Such a good sound would have cost at least RM300, the minimum. I downloaded this sound into my pen drive and kept it until today before activating it. The video below shows that the sound really do wonders. How long the atraction will last?. Lets wait and see. I hope it last forever if that is the response you see in the video. I will keep on monitoring.

Sarawak's Bird Nest Industry Still In Dilemma

2009-05-24T23:01:00.001+08:00

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Probably not many are aware that Malaysia's bird nest industry has grown to RM1 billion per annum in its value following the large scale migration of the edible nest swiftlet from Indonesia about 10 years ago.

The figure is expected to increase due to the steady demand from China where the bird nest soup is a popular delicacy especially among the well heeled segment of the society.

Malaysia is the world's third biggest producer of bird's nest after Indonesia and Thailand with an average of 12 tonnes of nests produced monthly.

The nests made by the edible-nest swiftlet (aerodramus fuciphagus) and the black-nest swiftlet (aerodramus maximus) in Malaysia is said to be of better quality.

LICENSING ISSUES RETARDING THE INDUSTRY

Nevertheless, of late there has been some concerns over the licensing problems of more than 1,500 swiftlet farms in Sarawak that could retard the industry.

In Peninsular Malaysia, swiftlet farms are allowed to be set up within shop houses and commercial lots in towns according to conditions set, but such setups are not allowed within towns in Sarawak.

This is because the Sarawak's Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 does not allow swiftlet farming within towns. At the same time, the state has no guidelines to allow swiftlet farming in towns unlike in Peninsular Malaysia.

Furthermore the Wildlife Protection Rules (Edible Bird Nests) 1998 and Wildlife Protection Rules 1998 expounds that the species can only be bred in agricultural areas in outskirts other that its original habitat like caves.

"By right, the state government should support the industry and liaise with the federal government by having a uniform guideline in swiftlet farming," said Koh Ung Leong to Bernama when met in Sibu recently.

The veterinarian said as the edible-nest swiftlet has high economic value, the industry helps to boost local real estate value and serves as a viable alternative to farmers and fishermen.

A survey conducted by Bernama found that many swiftlet farms have been set up in special structures and altered shophouses in towns along the coast line in Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu.

The state's edible-nest swiftlet merchants association earlier had sought the intervention of Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to find a solution for the dilemma following strict enforcement in Mukah since last October.

THE CURRENT STATUS

Currently there is more than 1,500 swiftlet farms but only two have been licensed by the authorities. This means 99.8 percent of the swiftlet farms in the state is illegal.

"We hope the state government will prepare a guideline similar to the one in Peninsula. We will fully cooperate with the state to solve this issue," said the pro-tem chairman of the Sarikei edible-nest swiftlet merchants association, Wong Hua Ting.

On this issue, the state government has two choices whether to centralise swiftlet farming in a particular location by setting up an eco-park or adapt a specific guideline on swiftlet farming.

"It is impossible to transfer these birds. The swiftlet is not like chicken or duck to be caught and transferred. These birds have made their bird houses as the nest," said the chairman of the federation of Malaysian edible-nest swiftlet merchants association Datuk Beh Heng Seong.

At present, it is still not clear whether the swiftlets can be transferred moreover it is a species protected under the Wildlife Act 1972. As there are risks of the birds dying during transfer, especially the chicks, it is almost impossible to transfer them.

The question remains how the state government especially the Sarawak Forestry Department (SFD) and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) will handle the issue without leaving anyone in the losing end including the owners of the swiftlet farms.

THE STAND TAKEN ON THE ISSUE

The Director General of SFD who is also Chief Executive of the SFC Datuk Len Talif Salleh stressed that the industry should be developed systematically based on the existing laws.

"Many of those seeking license are in towns which by the definition of the law they do not qualify," said Len Talif adding that the risks of epidemics like bird flu being the reason why the state government does not want to allow swiftlet farming in towns.

There were also complaints from the public on the stench from the bird droppings and the din from the speaker to entice the swiftlets to nest in the farms.

Len Talif also claimed that the setting up of swiftlet farms within towns disrupts business for some especially those in the food business or having stalls near the farms.

"There should not be guideline to setup the birdhouse in town. This contravenes the law," he said adding that the state government will build an eco-park and provide licenses for individuals keen in setting up the swiftlet farms on agricultural land in the rural areas.

BUREAUCRACY HURDLES

Many of the swiftlet farm owners see red over the bureaucracy involving the Land and Survey Department, Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA), SFC and the local government as the red tape is a serious impediment in getting a license for swiftlet farming.

Furthermore as there is no guarantee that the birds will nest in the proposed eco-park, that is why they want the state government to adopt the Veterinary Services Department's Best Practices in Animal Breeding (GAHP) for the swiftlet farming.

GAHP, which is among the conditions for licensing in Peninsula, has set certain specifications to ensure the swiftlet farms are set up in a conducive and environmentally friendly environment, which among others the noises from the speakers should not exceed 40 decibels and the speaker cone set facing the sky in a 60 degree angle to overcome noise pollution.

"We talk about "1Malaysia" which means the same law for everyone. Why then the state government does not want to accept this guideline," said a bird nest trader from Mukah, John Low.

He was referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's statement encouraging the people especially the Bumiputeras to venture into swiftlet farming that can boost the local economy.

The Mukah edible-nest swiftlet merchants association protem chairman, Philip Tiong, wanted the authorities to hold a dialog with swiftlet farm owners to find a solution for the dilemma and any `one way dialog' ordering them to shift out should never be the option.

CLAIMS OF MONOPOLY

Nonetheless, several swiftlet farm owners claimed that the setting up of the eco-park including in Mukah is the work of some to monopolise the industry.

This is because a kilogramme of the bird's nest can fetch RM4,000 and the figure doubles after the nests are processed for export to China, Hong Kong and Korea.

If the Mukah district can produce 100 kilogrammes of bird nest valued at RM400,000 monthly, just imagine the amount of revenue that can be generated by 40,000 swiftlet farms all over the country.

Though the allegations of monopoly is yet to be proven, the authorities should attend immediately to the current impasse that can derail the government's plan to develop the bird nest industry.

Meanwhile, head of the swiftlet unit of the Veterinary Services Department Dr Fadzilah A'ini Abdul Kadir noted that the department, which is the leading agency in monitoring the swiftlet industry, is keeping track on the developments in the industry.

Since the last three years, more than 5,000 samples of the swiftlet have been tested by the department and so far they have been free from bird flu and Newcastle disease, said Dr Fadzilah.

Roving Room Roof Fully Completed

2009-05-24T21:42:00.010+08:00

My roving room roof had finally been completed. All the plastering are in place. Plastering cannnot be done in one shot. The cement plaster have to stick to the chicken wire mesh first. The workers have to dab the cement plaster to the chicken wire and wait for the cement to set before continuing on the second dab and subsequent plastering.

Plastering work in progress - Back View

Plastering in progress - Frront View

As solid as a rock after plastering

Plastering completed - Back view

Plastering completed - Front View

Completed roof seen from a distance

Close-up of the completed roof

Harvesting Time

2009-05-18T09:07:00.012+08:00

Well, this is not on this farm. I did the harvesting on the other farm belonging to my wife's family. A day before the harvesting I went into the farm and saw many of the nests had been abandoned, especially on the ground floor, meaning that, the young swiftlets had flew off. Not to miss the opportunity to do harvesting and encouraged by others who had said that by harvesting irrespective of the numbers in the farm, the swiftlets will come back to build more nests, I came back the next date. I noticed a few nests have already been filled with eggs. I gave those nests a miss while I harvested the nests which are empty.

My harvest for the day. Enough for own consumpttion

A normal cup shaped 3 fingers nest

A freak nest. 4 inches long

Corner nests. Looks like a pair of bikini top. The nests are
yellowish because have been in the farm for quite sometime
and have been host to a few pair of swiftlets already

View before harvesting

View after harvesting. One nest is left behind

because there are eggs in it

View of another location before harvesting

View after harvesting

Unique fruit discovered on site

2009-05-13T22:50:00.014+08:00

I went up to the roof top yesterday with a friend. This friend is a Sifu in swiftlet farming having constructed many successful swiftlet farms for the owners in the state. The moment he stepped foot on the roof top, he immediately turn his attention to a tall tree facing the the entrance hole and told me not to disturb this tree. He said this tree will attract a lot of insects during the fruit season. All this while I just acknowledged this tree as one of the trees around my birdhouse but this time it really caught my attention. This tree is quite unique that its fruits point towards the sky. Only then did I realised that this fruit is almost similar to the one that I am looking for.

I have to admit that this is the first time that I saw this fruit in Terengganu soil. The fruit that I am looking for is called the miricle fruit by XKL because it can cure all sort of illness. It is also called fruit or 'buah tunjuk langit' as the Malays called it. The fruits are from the mahogany tree. I have been buying the dried fruits and processed it into capsules and consuming it for the past 6 months taking 2 capsules daily. I have been having hypertension since my youth and my blood pressure has always ding dong around the borderline of140/90 even after medication but since taking this fruit my bllod pressure has turned normal. I took my blood pressure yesterday using the OMRON digital blood pressure monitor and the result after 3 readings averaged 120/81. Just fantastic. There are a lot of testimonies on the efficacy of this fruit in the net.

Today, I went up the roof again to make sure if the fruit is sky fruit or another type of fruit. Looking at the fruits again and paying more attention, I saw that the texture is a bit different from sky fruit. I tried to ask one of the workers doing plastering on the roof top and he seems to know the fruit. He told me the fruit is called 'Diah' and when ripe will drop down. They are edible and usually the fruits are collected and fried before eating. The texture of this fruit resembles the nangka or cempedak. I went back to my office, still not convince on my discovery and I asked one of my collegue who is from Besut who use to live in a kampung. I described to him the characteristics of the fruit and tree and he seems to recognise right away as there are a few trees in his kampung. He told me that this tree is a jungle tree and very tall and it bears fruits similar in size to a small cempedak. He told me the villagers called the fruit 'buah diah'. To counter check that this fruit and tree really exist by this name 'Diah", I did a search on the net typing the words 'buah diah' but I could not find them. It could have been known by another name and could have been very rare. Hope readers can enlighten me on this fruit and tree. I find the fruit unique because the fruits ponts upward instead of hanging down like the nangkas or cempedaks and also it looks similar to the sky fruit which I had described earlier as the miracle fruit. .

Do contact me if you would like to have a look at this fruit or tree. one of the few with its fruit upright and as unique as the swiftlets which fly non-stop and do not hang or stop on trees.

Below is a short write-up about the miracle fruit which i want to share with my readers.

Skyfruit - How Beneficial Is It To Human Body And Why It

Is Called The Miracle Fruit ?

In 1996, a renowned American biochemist Dr. Larry Brookes, whom during his research he encountered a major discovery, that is he found abundance resources of Flavonoids and Saponins to be the active ingredient of SkyFruit.

Active Ingredient of Sky Fruit:

Flavonoids (found in Citrus, Gingko, Tea and Red Wine)

Able to promote a smooth blood circulation and to interfere with the formation of atherosclerotic plague.
Lowers cholesterol levels and lowers fats build-up in the blood stream.
Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.
Have an anti-inflammation action, it is able to inhibit body's natural enzymes that produce the chemical which park tissue inflammation.
Ability in reducing pain, bleeding, bruising, and the fluid retention that result from tissue injuries.
Act as anti-oxidant.
Act as a free radical scavenger.

Saponins (found in Ginseng and has a bitter taste)

As an agent in cancer prevention and reduces body fats.
Enhances immune system and improves vitality.
Reduces blood clotting and alleviates blood sugar.
Enhances the functions of the heart and prolonging blood clotting process.

Isoflavoniods (found inPueraria Lobata)

Anti-cancer Effects
Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease.
Prevention of Osteoporosis and Reducing Menopausal Symptons

In addition, the SkyFruit contains various natural proteins, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and other body essential nutrients, where its easy absorption contributes an important factor for staying healthy.

In recent years, the SkyFruit has been widely accepted by medical specialists and doctors. Its consumers' testimonials have made its recognition of its core values to be one of the best health products among those available in the market. Not only is SkyFruit pure in nature, its basis of suitability to health makes it an excellent product. No ill side effect is encountered even for long term consumption.

Core Usage::

Revitalize sex drive
Revitalize energy
Increase strength
Rebuild tissues
Increase pregnancy rate
Supporting healthy energy
Reactivate cells
Beauty agent
Anti-aging
Strengthen stomach, heart, lungs, liver, spleen
Replenish blood and strengthen arteries
Regulate blood sugar
Restore healthy heart and brain, etc.

Target User:

Diabetes,hypertension,
skin allergy,
malaria,
heart problem,
asthmatic,
menstruation pain,
Alzheimer,
first stage stroke,
gastritis,
rheumatic,
impotency,
poor appetite, poor health
liver disease,
sensitive skin, pimples and blisters,
low immune system,
inconceivable,
foul breath,
high cholesterol,
constipation, digestive system problem,
neuralgia,
secretion disorder,
tumour or growth,
remove pimples and freckles,beautify skin and etc.

The 'Diah' tree in the background

The 'Diah' tree

Closer view of the 'Diah tree

Close-up of tree. Fruit can be seen clearly
pointing up like the sky fruit

Another close-up with fruits visible.

Sky fruit on Mahogany tree

Dried sky fruits

Dry seeds and processed seeds packed into capsules

Roving room roof ready to receive a coat of cement plaster

2009-05-12T08:39:00.014+08:00

I have been busy this few days supervising my workers putting up the roof covering over the roof structure. It have been a tedious job having to work above the air well. In future, having to do it again I would rather do it on the ground and using a mobile crane to lift it up provided there are working space on the ground. The shape of the roof resemble a turtle. Perhaps this can overcome the nostalgia of the missing turtles at Rantau Abang and the turtle at the roundabout in Ladang. So, if you miss the turtles, welcome to The Hollow. I am waiting anxiously to see the cement being cast onto the top of the roof. I have taken quite a number of shots on the process of putting up the roof covering for the readers to see together with shots of the surrounding works in progress. I intend to turn the surrounding into a garden with ponds, fountains and fishes. This is my dream and I hope will become a reality soon and I hope the swiftlets will share my dream and help to produce more nests. Since the roving room have been covered up. I did a test on the temperature and humidity by placing a hygrothermometer on the 3rd Floor and the result shows 28 degree celcius for the temperature and 85% for the humidity. This is achieved without the internal drainage, the pools and the fountains.

View from the back. Aluminium foil on top of pvc sun-shading
mesh. The main intention is to keep the aluminium foil taut
and aslo unintentionally act as double heat protection

View from the front. Aluminium foil is placed
on top of pvc sun-shading mesh.

View from the back. Aluminium foil
and chicken wire mesh in place

View from the front. Aluminium foil and
chicken wire mesh in place

View of the top entrance. Actual entrance partly hidden

View of the bottom entrance. the swiftlet can choose
either way to enter. Top or bottom.

Entrance into roving room and air-well below. Wall to block light
from entering building. There will be a door in between the wall

Inside of roving room

Flower trough and pond in front of the entrance

Plastering of flower trough and pond wall in progress

A song of love for every boy and girl

2009-05-08T16:37:00.004+08:00

Roof structure over roving room completed

2009-05-06T21:27:00.007+08:00

At last, the steel roof structure over the roving room and air well has been completed. What is left is to cover up the roof structure. I intend to place a layer of pvc mesh over the roof structure followed by a layer of aluminium and then a layer of chicken wire mesh before a layer of cement plaster is laid on top of it.

Roof structure taking shape.

Roof structure completed. Front View

Roof structure completed. Back view

View of roving room roof from a distance

Comments from those who selected Facebook as one of their Top 10 Tools

2009-05-04T23:33:00.004+08:00

"I use it almost daily online and via my iPhone to learn what my nearly 300 contacts –family, friends, and busiess contacts – are up to. I learn about and from other people by following links they post that they find interesting; by seeing how they feel about news stories; etc. Gabe Anderson

I was reluctant to add this one but this is where I keep up with what my kids are doing. I am amazed at the number of times they get tagged in picture albums. Their whole adolescent history is being documented in photographs on Facebook. Not that they always want me to see." Steve Rayson
"provides easy communication with students and colleagues, and private communication in groups" Pat Parslow
"mainly for my salsa students to keep in touch with other fans worldwide. I add links to salsa music videos and other resources, publicise social events by other promoters: creates a great “club” atmosphere. But I ban most applications – they are just irritating! I have not yet incorporated into my university teaching…..but I think the day is coming!" Jane Challinor
"I have been using Facebook as my primary social networking tool." Janet Clarey
"A very interactive social network with open API for integrating with social software developed by others" Jose Carlos del Arco
"for sharing information" Rebecca Jones
"I just like that there is so many things that you can do with it and share things with friends around the world." Karen Ver
"When training people around the globe, building social connections between learners is critical. Facebook helps learners put a face with a name and learn personal fact about other learners ... a fantastic way to find other people who are interested in what you want to learn. Great places to share ideas." Janice Petosky
"Still, by far, the undisputed number one. Last year I wrote: “I’ve posted about my love of Facebook before. But look, we teach these technology integration classes and we tell our students to find out what their students have and work from there. Well, where are my college undergrads? Facebook. Since I’ve started requiring my undergrads to add me as a friend, I’ve had more communication with my undergrads. It’s been crazy, actually. Students who NEVER would have gotten a hold of me before, are now writing on my wall just to say, ‘Hey Dr. Curry! What’s up?’ I love it.” John Curry

Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.

2009-05-04T21:40:00.007+08:00

Facebook is a free-access social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region to connect and interact with other people. People can also add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. The website's name refers to the paper facebooks depicting members of a campus community that some US colleges and preparatory schools give to incoming students, faculty, and staff as a way to get to know other people on campus

I find Facebook very useful. Once you sign up and add friends, you will be able to share their thoughts, views, ideas, photos, videos, links and almost anything they are willing to share. I have added a few politicians as friends and I am able to share whatever info they are willing to share with friends in Facebook . I can voice out or make comments on whatever topics of public interest and the politicians whom I have added as friends and their friends can read them. If you want your voice to be heard as loud as possible add as many friends as possible. Of course, the friends that you wanted to add have the right to decline you as their friensd.

To my readers, hope you sign up for Facebook. Lets get connected and share our experiences especially about swiftlet farming. Lets set up a swiftlet group to represent the swiftlet farmers in cyberspace.

Let's also hope that all the Cabinet , Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen sign up for Facebook so that we can write direct to them by communicating wall to wall in Facebook .

Faked nests can help swiftlets to build nests

2009-05-01T23:45:00.015+08:00

I was doing maintenance work in my other BH on Friday. Well, on and off, I have to check the conditions of the BH. What I noticed in my BH is the nests count on the 2nd Floor is increasing quite rapidly and almost half of the nests are built on top of the faked nests made from styrofoam. What is the reason that the swiftlets like to build on top of the styrofoam support?

For young swiftlets the grooves in the nesting planks may not help the swiftlet to hang comfortably or may be the nesting planks are too hard for them to grip. So, supports in the form of rectangular-shaped styrofoam could help these young swiftlets to hang and build nests.

Studies had shown that having lots of these fake nests could increase the nest counts by 30% the normal growth rate. For new farms, owners should forget about nest quality for the time being. After two cycles, the owner can take away the styrofoam and harvest the nests and let the birds rebuild their nests. Fake nests can come in all shapes and sizes but the cheapest could be the rectangular cut styrofoam which can either be screwed to the nesting planks or glued using the white styrofoam glue used for pasting papers. Many owners used plastic and silicone nests shaped like the original nestsbut they are slightly expensive costing between RM4 to RM6 per piece. We can also make nests shaped like the original nest out of styrofoam but is it really necessary unless we would like to attract stray pregnant birds which have their nest harvested and have no place to lay their eggs.

Work on roof top roving room commence

2009-05-01T08:30:00.008+08:00

My workers have commence work on the roving room at the roof top. All the steel pipes have been delivered to site aand they are putting them together. Meanwhile another group of workers are about to complete plastering of the internal trench. This trench will be used to regulate the temperature and humidity in the BH. 1/2" pvc pipe with pinholes hanging about 3 feet above will spray water into the trench and the water in the trench will flow and overflow down to the next level through 4" diiameter PVC pipes which is then reduced to 1/2" pvc pipe and the same process will repeat until the 1st floor where the water overflows into 4" diameter overflow pipes which drain into the water storage tank below the BH. Water from the 3rd floor will be supplied
by water pump at the roof top through pvc pipe with pinholes which will spray out the water into the trench On the 2nd floor the pvc pipe will carry water from above by gravity. The intensity of the spray will be controlled by the water pump that will operate only during the daytime.

Worker marking the dimension of the roving room

Worker jointing the steel pipes

Internal trench surrounding BH completed. Observe the
pvc pipe above with pinholes at intervals above the trench.

Another view of the trench.

Successful Birdcall

2009-04-22T22:53:00.005+08:00

Carried out a successful birdcall at Binjai Rendah, Marang, Terengganu. An architect friend of mine seek my assistance to make a birdcall as he intends to JV with a Malay land owner to build birdhouses in the area. Meanwhile, he had asked the Malay land owner to get the land office to include a 'syarat nyata' in the land title, that is, 'tanah ini hendaklah digunakan semata-mata untuk pembinaan rumah walit'. The land is already a residential building land and if the 'syarat nyata' can be added to the title, it will solve a lot of problems on constructing the birdhouses. It will also be an endorsement of the swiftlet farming industry by the Terengganu Government. If everything is okay, my friend intends to build affordable 2 storey birdhouses using the industrialised building system with interlocking load bearing earth bricks as walls.

Look at the birdcall below. Do you think it is a success and the location is good for birdhouses?. Anybody interested!!!. You can make the bookings with me now. Haha.

Unique project going into 2nd month

2009-04-20T22:17:00.013+08:00

Remember the unique project which I had described in my earlier post. It has been almost 2 months since the internal and external sound were activated. I still cannot claimed success as there is still no nest marks to be seen the last time I went into the shelter about 3 weeks ago. I have been monitoring the activities from the outside and there seems to be a lot of swiftlets flying around the entrance in the morning and evening and if it rains there will be swiftlets flying around even at noon time. There are many swiftlets coming in and out of the entrance hole and many swiftlets like to kiss (touch) the pointed top of the entrance. The management of this bird house which I prefer to call a shelter had asked me to monitor the progress and report to them monthly. Because of this, I have come up with an inspection form which I produced for all my readers to see below. Comments are welcomed.

This inpection form would be very useful for the management at the early stage as the management will know which direction is the shelter heading so that they can take further steps to keep the shelter on the right track. However once the shelter in successful, this inspection form would not be adequate and a more detailed form would be required which will also keep track of the nests to be been harvested and that has been harvested.

Tear down the walls that keep Malaysians apart

2009-04-17T11:44:00.004+08:00

Below is an article that appears on the Letters to editor, NST. 15th April 2009. I share the same hope and aspiration and I hope all Malaysians share the same with me. Let's hope our leaders irrespective of parties will work towards this common goal, a 1Malaysia. Let's talk less and work more. Le's break all barriers, be more creative and innovative. One advert on Astro on Anak Yatim attracts my attention. Lets have more of this advert to create awareness among Malaysians who have been complacent for far too long. Hidup 1Malaysia.

By : NOEL F. D'OLIVEIRO, Taiping

IT will take more than oft-repeated, high-sounding rhe-toric to bridge the ever- widening racial divide in our country ("No racial barriers" -- NST, April 15).

Malaysian politics has never been, and never will be, a model to be emulated, unless and until genetic engineers purge corruption, nepotism, hypocrisy, dishonesty, racialism and irrationality from human nature.

Our unity is superficial to say the least. After more than 50 years of independence, we are still classified as Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras. We are still separated by politically-created invisible walls.

To come together as a nation, we need to proceed beyond mere rhetoric and tear down these walls.

One of the many contributory factors to the glaring division of races today is the thinking of some unscrupulous, myopic and racially-inclined politicians. Politicians must bear in mind that they are accountable and have a social responsibility not to inflame public opinion.

Racial slurs uttered in Parliament degrade and subvert racial cohesion, especially in a multiracial country like ours.

The well-being of our country needs to be first and foremost above partisan politics. Too much politicking is becoming counterproductive to the well-being of our country and our relations with each other.

The only way to reach an understanding and affinity among us is to change our attitudes towards each other.

We have to accept, not just tolerate, other cultures. We must try to understand that if we have differences, it is not necessarily a bad thing.

Differences in our background can lead us to interpret events in a contrasting way. We have to convince ourselves that these same differences are exactly what make this country so strong.

Expansion of opportunities has often coincided with continuing inequality in the civil service and in the security forces (military, navy and air force). It is not enough to open the gates of opportunity. Everyone should be given the opportunity to walk through these gates.

Equal opportunities can lead to improved individual performance and motivation.

The only acceptable reason to discriminate is on the basis of ability and competence.

We ought to accept, respect and value people who are different from us and judge them on merit, without fear or favour. We have the responsibility of ensuring that equal opportunities are available to all. No single segment of society should have a monopoly over another.

Treating people fairly, with dignity and respect, creating a climate where no one has undue advantage over another, making decisions based on individual merit and not as a result of bias or prejudice, recognising the advantages and benefits of a diverse workforce, that everyone is different and that these differences can add value, and developing an environment free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation are the ingredients of a recipe to narrow the ever-expanding chasms between us.

Dismantle the social, personal and psychological barriers that keep the races apart. Only then will we be a nation in which ethnicity will be incidental, not fundamental; descriptive, not defining.

Tourists caught unaware about new ruling on birds' nest

2009-04-16T18:35:00.008+08:00

PENANG (April 15, 2009) : A new ruling prohibiting the import and export of bird's nest without a permit caught tourists unaware, resulting in them losing hundreds of thousands of ringgit as they have to surrender the delicacy on leaving the country.

Under the rule, it is an offence to bring into or take out of the country even a single cup of bird's nest unless a permit is obtained from the Wildlife and National Park Department.

Malaysia Bird’s Nest Merchants Association president Datuk Beh Heng Seong told Oriental Daily News that cases of ignorant tourists having to forfeit bird's nest at the immigration chechpoints are happening.

He estimated that hundreds of kilos of bird's nest worth hundreds of thousands of ringgit have been confiscated at the country's exit points.

Beh said he has been receiving complaints from members of the association on tourists having to surrender such prized gift item because they are not aware of the ban.

He believed the ruling would not only affect the bird's nest industry but also leave a negative impression of Malaysia on the tourists.

He said he understands the ruling is aimed at putting a stop to the smuggling of bird's nest out of the country, but deems it ridiculous for the authorities concerned to want tourists taking home some bird's nest to go all the way to the Wildlife and National Park Department to get a permit.

"Worse still, it takes four days to get obtain a permit. How do you expect a tourist to wait four days for a permit?"

According to the report, an one-off permit costs RM200 and bird's nest is subject to an export duty of RM100 per kg.

Beh lamented the lack of Wildlife and National Park Department counters at exit points and tourists caught unaware of the new ruling could only forfeit their bird's nest.

He said the government, which has always encouraged Malaysians to buy local products, should provide all the convenience and necessary assistance to foreigner visitors wanting to buy bird's nest, least to discourage them.

He said the cultivation of bird's nest is lucrative industry, bringing in about RM1 billion a year in foreign exchange.

He urged the new cabinet to take a serious view of the problem.

A bird's nest cultivator who did not want to be identified wondered why the authorities are so strict with tourists who just want to take home some bird's nest for their own consumption or as gifts for friends and relatives.

He said if the government allows a person to take out of the country up to 200 sticks of cigarettes and up to one litre of liquor at a time, there is no reason why a similar rule cannot be applied to bird's nest.

He suggested the authorities allow each tourist to carry up to a kilogramme of bird's nest without permit.

Meanwhile, an officer of the department in Penang dismissed allegations that it takes four days to obtain a permit.

He said the most it takes is half a day.

"If you come at 8am you might even get it done by 8.30am," he said.

He said the ruling is to curb smuggling of bird's nest which fetches as much as RM3,000 a kg.

Edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) or black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus) are protected species under Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 and anyone caught importing or exporting them without a permit can be fined up to RM3,000 or jailed up to three years or both.

by Kong See Hoh

Source :Sun2Surf

RM2 billion of raw and processed bird nests exported in 2008

2009-04-15T19:54:00.005+08:00

Below is the news reported online by Eastern Times, a Sarawak daily, on 15th April 2009 on the bird's nest industry written by Zainon Talip.

Aziz: Go Into Bird’s Nest Farming

MIRI: The Director-General of the Veterinary Services Department, Dato’ Dr. Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, urged local bird’s nest farmers to grab the opportunities offered by the bird’s nest (swiftlets) industry to help meet the increasing demand of the product by foreigners.
He told this to reporters after launching the state-level Veterinary Month at the Civic Centre here yesterday.

Aziz also hoped that the bird’s nest industry would move down stream, such as the cleaning and processing of the raw bird’s nests which could help to create more jobs.

“Last year, the bird’s nest production hit more than RM2 billion in raw and processed form for export, while RM700 million in 2007 and RM18 million in 2006. China is the biggest market, followed by Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea,” he added.

Aziz added that many Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea considered the swiftlet’s nest has high nutritional and medicinal value.
He also disclosed that the agriculture industry has increased the country’s foreign exchange revenue tremendously over the last five years.

Meanwhile, Assistant Director of Veterinary Section of the State Agriculture Department, Dr. Chin Vei Ching, said Sarawak recorded export of between RM60 million and RM100 million a year of bird’s nest products.

Chin said the Wildlife Department was in the process of legalising agricultural land for bird’s nest farming in effort to encourage more local farmers to venture into the bird’s nest industry.
There are now more than 60,000 swiftlet farms in the country with Sarawak having over 1,000 farms.

Malaysia is the world’s third largest producer of the edible bird’s nests behind Indonesia and Thailand.

Bird’s nest can become Malaysia’s fourth largest export after oil palm, rubber and petroleum.

At the function, Aziz also handed over the a mock cheque for RM8.1 million as incentives for livestock breeders in the state.

Satu Hati, Satu Komuniti, Satu Persatuan

2009-04-14T00:23:00.003+08:00

In English, it means One Heart, One Community, One Association. Well, the Government is trying hard to unite the youths of Malaysia. Can it be achieved? I am sure we still remember the song, 'We're the World'. It's so beautiful but it failed to make an impact. The world still remained so divided as ever. It failed to unite the youths of the World. Hopefully this song can do something to Malaysians, creating 1Malaysia and 'Swiftlets For All'

Safety First

2009-04-11T15:35:00.001+08:00

In order to ensure the safety of whoever is visiting or working inside my birdhouse I had constructed railings surrounding the air well. The railings are made of mild steel pipes and are strong enough to prevent people from felling over.

Workers fixing railing on 2nd Floor

Railing on 3rd. Floor

Najib supporting the bird nest industry

2009-04-04T19:59:00.009+08:00

Speech by Y.A.B Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the recent UMNO Convention

Inovasi lonjakkan ekonomi

YAB Presiden, Naib-naib Presiden, Ahli-ahli Majlis Tertinggi (MT), sidang perwakilan dan pemerhati sekalian.

Sukacita dirakamkan ucapan terima kasih kepada jurucakap-jurucakap yang telah membahaskan usul ekonomi semalam iaitu wakil daripada negeri Pahang, Perlis, Kelantan, Kedah, Wilayah Persekutuan dan wakil Wanita.

Ekonomi negara akan menghadapi laluan sukar pada tahun ini dan tahun depan. Ia berpunca daripada kejatuhan ekonomi Amerika Syarikat (AS) dan Eropah. World Trade Organisation (WTO) menjangkakan bahawa perdagangan dunia akan merosot sebanyak sembilan peratus, suatu penyusutan terbesar sejak Perang Dunia Kedua.

Justeru itu sebagai sebuah ekonomi yang terdedah kepada kesan ekonomi global dan pendedahan ini adalah kerana kejayaan kita selama ini mengembangkan perdagangan negara kita sehingga menjadi antara negara tertinggi di dunia dari segi perdagangan kita.

Namun sekiranya perdagangan kita merosot maka sudah tentu kesan dan tempiasnya akan dirasai ekonomi negara. Oleh itu untuk tahun ini kita menjangka bahawa pertumbuhan antara satu peratus negatif dan satu peratus positif mungkin akan menjadi kenyataan. Walau bagaimanapun kita akan akan menghadapi rempuhan tsunami ekonomi ini dengan langkah-langkah pemantapan melalui usaha-usaha mikro dan makro termasuk melaksanakan segera pakej-pakej rangsangan.

Bajet 2009 telah diumumkan oleh YAB Perdana Menteri berjumlah RM206 bilion, saya bagi pihak kerajaan telah umumkan Pakej Rangsangan Pertama berjumlah RM7 bilion dan Pakej Kedua pula RM60 bilion.

Pada tahun depan, kemungkinan kita akan peruntukan sejumlah RM200 bilion lagi. Ini bererti dalam tempoh dua tahun ini, sebanyak lebih kurang RM470 bilion akan dibelanjakan untuk menjana ekonomi negara dengan lebih baik lagi.

Walaupun begitu, keberkesanannya kepada ekonomi negara hanya akan menjadi kenyataan sekiranya ekonomi dunia pulih. Kita mungkin melalui projek rangsangan menambahkan pertumbuhan satu atau dua peratus dari segi KDNK tetapi untuk kembali kepada pertumbuhan enam atau tujuh peratus bergantung kepada ekonomi dunia.

Dalam pada itu saya ingin menegaskan bahawa atas keprihatinan kerajaan maka usaha akan diteruskan supaya rakyat akan mendapat perlindungan sebaik-baiknya. Kesejahteraan rakyat akan terus diutamakan oleh kerajaan pimpinan UMNO dan Barisan Nasional (BN).

Sebagai bukti jumlah subsidi pada tahun 2008 berjumlah RM34.1 bilion dan subsidi pada tahun ini untuk mengawal harga subsidi petrol, diesel, gas memasak, gandum, roti, gula, tepung, beras, buku teks, biasiswa, pendidikan, kesihatan, kebajikan dan tol lebuh raya berjumlah hampir RM28 bilion. Inilah contoh jelas bahawa dalam keadaan ekonomi dunia mengalami keadaan sukar tetapi kerajaan UMNO dan BN tetap akan memperjuangkan kepentingan rakyat.

Banyak telah diperkatakan tentang pakej rangsangan dan banyak yang hendak mengetahui tentang pelaksanaannya. Dan hampir semua yang bercakap telah mengingatkan kepada kerajaan bahawa yang penting adalah pelaksanaannya.

Untuk tujuan ini, sesuai dengan prinsip kerajaan yang telus. Maka, sukacita saya memaklumkan sebuah laman web khas akan dilancarkan dalam masa kira-kira dua minggu lagi untuk memberi segala maklumat dan butiran tentang pakej rangsangan pertama dan kedua.

Setakat ini, jumlah yang telah dibayar pada saat ini ialah sebanyak RM216 juta untuk 3,839 projek dan pada akhir bulan April ini dijangka RM1.5 bilion akan dibelanjakan untuk 10,000 projek dan pada akhir Mei ini RM5.2 bilion akan dibelanjakan untuk 38,000 projek.

Bila dilaksanakan, kebanyakan projek ini akan memberi faedah kepada kontraktor kelas F yang kebanyakannya penyokong UMNO dan BN.

Selain itu, saya ingin menyatakan tiga konsep yang akan menjadi pendekatan kerajaan selanjutnya. Yang Pertama, waktu Perdana Menteri mengemudikan kerajaan selama ini, beliau selalu menyebut tentang nilai tambah.

Saya hendak cuba gandingkan konsep Pak Lah dan satu lagi yang hendak saya utarakan di sini selain nilai tambah kita gandingkan dengan konsep nilai tinggi.

Nilai tambah kita semua faham, misalnya kalau kita mengeluarkan sesuatu hasilan dan ia diproses maka ianya boleh mendatangkan nilai tambah.

Tetapi konsep nilai tinggi ialah untuk mencari nilai tertentu yang boleh beri pendapatan lebih lumayan kepada pengusaha kita.

Sebagai contoh bidang pertanian, misalnya perusahaan burung walit atau bird’s nest merupakan satu projek nilai tinggi yang boleh diusahakan oleh pengusaha Melayu dan bumiputera kita.

Saya melihat banyak tanah terutama di Pantai Timur dan Barat yang boleh dijadikan sebagai tanah untuk diusahakan perusahaan bird’s nest ini.

Satu Lagi rumpai laut yang boleh diusahakan dan dieksport ke negara seperti Jepun. Satu lagi perusahaan ikan Arowana yang diusahakan oleh syarikat bumiputera hari ini sudahpun disenaraikan di Bursa Saham.

Saya tidak pasti tentang perusahaan kopi yang sebutkan perwakilan Perlis semalam. Kopi Jantan, Kopi Jagat, Kopi Kawe. Tapi yang sedapnya Kopi Kawe ini ada khasiatnya. “Dia bangun sebelum kita bangun”. Ada pula pemerhati sebut “dia bangun sebelum kita bangun” tetapi jangan pula “dia tidur sebelum kita tidur”.

Konsep kedua, iaitu konsep bahawa dua cabaran besar yang kita hadapi sekarang. Satu pulihkan kemelut ekonomi dan kedua buat persiapan untuk masa depan kita. Bererti kita mesti merumuskan satu hala tuju baru kerana apabila ekonomi dunia pulih nanti kita mempunyai daya saing yang kukuh di persada antarabangsa.

Begitulah kehebatan dan keadilan pentadbiran Kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) yang senantiasa mementingkan kesejahteraan rakyat jelata.

Dunia bergerak dari satu fasa ke satu fasa, pada fasa industri kepada apa yang dikatakan knowledge base.

Hari ini orang sebut tentang ekonomi inovasi, bererti bahawa kalaulah kita nak maju nanti kita mesti mampu untuk membuat inovasi. Bagaimana kita nak buat inovasi ini? Inilah satu perkara yang saya akan huraikan nanti, bukan dalam persidangan ini.

Tetapi saya nak pastikan bahawa dalam sistem kita ini termasuk dalam sistem persekolahan, kita mesti mendidik, melatih rakyat Malaysia agar mampu berinovasi untuk melonjakkan ekonomi negara.

Yang ketiga saya nak tekankan betapa pentingnya kita membezakan antara produktiviti dan kreativiti. Contoh mudah produktiviti, kalau dulu kerja lapan jam kini kita kerja 10 jam, itu peningkatan produktiviti.

Tetapi kalaulah kita ada penyelesaian yang kreatif, kita boleh mencapai bukan sahaja peningkatan tetapi lonjakan berganda. Inilah yang saya harap kita akan dapat pendekatan pemikiran kreatif, ekonomi yang inovatif dan insya-Allah daya saing yang lebih tinggi.

Saya tidak lupa bahawa dalam keadaan kemelut ekonomi ini, mungkin agenda Melayu dalam soal ekonomi tidaklah begitu terserlah tetapi percayalah sidang perwakilan sekalian bahawa UMNO tidak lupa bahawa kita perlu memperkuatkan kedudukan orang-orang Melayu dalam bidang ekonomi dan agenda ini mesti kita teruskan.

Beberapa buah syarikat yang telah kita kenal pasti umpamanya, dalam sidang yang sama tahun sudah saya sebut tentang Skim Jejak Jaya Bumiputera. Walaupun syarikat tersebut mungkin tak dapat disenaraikan tahun ini tapi insyaAllah apabila sampai masa ekonomi pulih kita akan senaraikan lebih banyak syarikat-syarikat bumiputera di bursa saham.

Saya juga mengambil teguran daripada sidang perwakilan tentang peranan GLC yang dikatakan oleh seorang wakil bahawa ada ada seseorang yang duduk dalam 60 syarikat. Saya dah semak perkara ini dan ini tidak mungkin kerana disebabkan mengikut peraturan sekarang seorang hanya boleh menjawat 10 jawatan ahli lembaga pengarah dalam syarikat yang tersenarai dan 15 dalam syarikat sendirian berhad.

Kalau ada maklumat yang sebenar, kalau silap saya tolong beritahu. Saya tak akan benarkan sesiapa memegang jawatan begitu banyak sekali.

Saya juga mendengar harapan saudara sekalian tentang peranan GLC, kalau boleh lantiklah lebih ramai orang UMNO menduduki GLC.

Saudara sekalian, kita perlu menseimbangkan antara peranan GLC untuk mengaut ataupun membawa keuntungan. Apabila GLC untung dividen pulang balik kepada khazanah dan khazanah akan pulang kepada kerajaan.

Bila kerajaan ada dividen lebih, lebih besar lagi peruntukan pembangunan boleh disediakan untuk kesejahteraan rakyat.

Jadi kalau kita nak lantik orang UMNO, ia mesti di kalangan orang UMNO yang mampu memberi sumbangan dan tambahan nilai kepada syarikat-syarikat kerajaan. Mudah-mudahan dengan cara seperti ini kita akan dapat menjamin ekonomi negara kita lebih kukuh lagi, insya-Allah.

Perkara-perkara lain saya ambil maklum di sini, kerana sudah tentu yang lebih diminati ialah bab politik dan perkara-perkara berhubung peralihan kepimpinan. Jadi saya akan ada peluang mengulas perkara ini selepas ini.

Cukuplah setakat ini bab ekonomi, kita ambil perhatian. Yang penting kita bersatu padu dan memberi sokongan kepada kerajaan dalam usaha pemulihan ekonomi negara.

Terima kasih. Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahiwabarakatuh.

Source : Utusan Online 29.03.09

Saya melihat banyak tanah terutama di Pantai Timur dan Barat yang boleh dijadikan sebagai tanah untuk diusahakan perusahaan bird’s nest ini

Translation:

I saw alot of land especially in the East and West Coast that can be used to develop the bird's nest industry.

Swiftlet Fiesta

2009-04-03T00:48:00.002+08:00

While going for lunch at one of the makan stall in town, saw swiftlets feasting on insects in the middle of the street after a heavy rain and I managed to capture the scene for readers to see. In Kuala Terengganu loa gondang trees lined some of the streets and after a heavy rain, small insects, not visible to the naked eye, will come out from hiding in the trees and the swiftlets will take the opportunity to feast on them and the scene shown in the video below is quite common.

Prototype of roving room

2009-04-02T22:15:00.008+08:00

I decided to do a model of the roving room before it is constructed because I am afraid that my workers could not interpret my sketch. This roving room is different from my original design. Previously, I plan to use steel sheets as the materials for the roof and wall but I have now changed to ferro-cement. My idea is to make the roving room looks more natural like a hillock with entrance leading into a cave which is my birdhouse. Have a look at my model which is a prototype. I intend to patent this design if it is succesful with swiftlets. Hahaha!.

Perspective View - Shot from Front Right

Perspective View - Shot from Front Left

Front View

Side View

Roof already topped-up

2009-03-30T23:49:00.009+08:00

Today, my workers finished topping-up the roof. My next move is to construct the roving room above the void on the roof top. Besides the roving room my workers will also construct the flower trough surrounding the roof and the separation walls for the pools. I will have pools and moat around the roving room. Watch up for these features in my future post.

A layer of BRC laid on aluminium foil

Roof ready to receive concrete

Concreting in progress

Roof finally topped-up with concrete

"Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads." - Erica Jong

Another Sarang Burung product

2009-03-30T23:28:00.005+08:00

I was buying drinks for my workers doing concreting today when I noticed something related to birdnest. Usually we hear of kopi tongkat ali but this time you are going to hear about kopi sarang burung, that is, birdnest coffee. The coffee I saw is 7 in 1 which means besides birdnest there are 6 other herbs in the coffee. Wow. isn't that fantastic. So, what's next for birdnest. Our local reaserchers especially in the universities should start doing more R & D on the birdnest so that demand will keep going up together with the price. So far, UTM has been working with local manufacturer and they have started to market birdnest anti-wrinkle face cream.

Video view

2009-03-27T23:08:00.009+08:00

Today, I went up to the roof top again. It was around 5.15 pm in the evening and the swiftlets are returning. I used the video mode in my camera to shoot the surroundings and of the swiftlets returning home. From the video, readers can see the shinning thing on the roof. This is the aluminium foil which I used to insulate the roof. This foil is placed on top of the cement board followed by a layer steel wire mesh fabric (BRC) and 2 1/2" thick concrete. the black spots in the sky are swiftlets passing by on their way home in Kuala Terengganu town. These are the swiftlets that I will be targeting when my birdhouse is ready.

Readers can hear the external bird call in this video. This is from a BH about 100m away. The swiftlets will pass through The Hollow first before reeaching this BH on their way home.

"Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life."~Thich Nhat Hanh

View at the top

2009-03-25T19:27:00.015+08:00

There staircase has been installed and I went up to the roof for the 1st time. Upon stepping on the roof top I saw of the scenery in front as depicted by the photo below. Below this photo are the sceneries surrounding my birdhouse. At least my roof is at tree top level and is clear of trees which may obstruct the flight path of the swiftlets. My roving room will be above the centre void housing the staircase and the swiftlet entrance will be facing the flight path of the swiftlets returning home which by coincidence is also facing the Terengganu River (about 30 metres away but cannot be seen in the photo).

Front View
(View infront of entrance hole)

Back View
(View at the back of entrance hole)

Staircase already installed

2009-03-25T18:44:00.009+08:00

My workers today fixed the staircase for the birdhouse and managed to complete installing all the flights from the Ground Floor to the Roof. However, they have yet to finish fixing the handrails and will continue fixing tomorrow. These staircase are not like the normal building staircase which will occupy a lot of space. This is more a working staircase and I had decided the riser to be 8" and tread 6". My partner will be happy that the staircase had been installed as he has keep reminding me that I should have a proper and solid staircase. Now, he can go up to roof and look at the construction done without having to worry about his safety.

Staircase from 2nd Floor up to Roof suspended between floors.

1st Floor Staircase connecting to 2nd Floor. A dog-leg staircase.

Ground Floor staircase leading to 1st. Floor. A straight flight staircase

The Hollow - Swiftlet Haven

It will be 1 year now on 8th July 2010

Nests starting to appear

7 months on, Slowly but Surely

1st. nest base

Unique project got a boost and showing encouraging progress.

Entrepreneurs want a one-stop centre

STAR METRO

Friday October 30, 2009

Entrepreneurs want a one-stop centre

By OH ING YEEN

Seeking Divine Intervention

Its Blog Action Day '09 Today

Sour Grapes

Synonyms:

My Roof Top Garden and My Swiftlet Sanctuary

Mega birdhouses in KT

2nd Anniversary of Tirok Swiftlet Farm

Unique project after 6 months showing positive sign

Sanctuary fully completed and in full swing

Birdhouse for Sale in Kuala Terengganu

Agriculture Land for Sale in Kuala Terengganu

I Love Living Life, I Am Happy

Roof repaired

It has been 3 weeks now

It has already been a week

Bird Bonanza

The Hollow Is Ready To Welcome The Swiftlets

Solidarity To A Fellow Blogger - Love Potion

Rot Amongst the Sour Grapes

Swiftlet Sanctuary About Ready To Receive Swiftlets

Sound System Installed

Prophecy

Simple but Hard

Good External Sound Attracts Swiftlets Into Birdhouse

Sarawak's Bird Nest Industry Still In Dilemma

Roving Room Roof Fully Completed

Harvesting Time

Unique fruit discovered on site

Roving room roof ready to receive a coat of cement plaster

A song of love for every boy and girl

Roof structure over roving room completed

Comments from those who selected Facebook as one of their Top 10 Tools

Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life.

Faked nests can help swiftlets to build nests

Work on roof top roving room commence

Successful Birdcall

Unique project going into 2nd month

Tear down the walls that keep Malaysians apart

Tourists caught unaware about new ruling on birds' nest

RM2 billion of raw and processed bird nests exported in 2008

Satu Hati, Satu Komuniti, Satu Persatuan

Safety First

Najib supporting the bird nest industry

Swiftlet Fiesta

Prototype of roving room

Roof already topped-up

Another Sarang Burung product

Video view

View at the top

Staircase already installed