KUALA TERENGGANU: A resident in Jalan Tok Lam here has resorted to legal action to put an end to the nuisance caused by swiftlets.

Tired of waiting for local authorities to shut down swiflet nesting activities near his shophouse, Ong Pok Kok, 55, a coffeeshop owner, has issued a letter of demand through a law firm asking the state government and the Kuala Terengganu City Council to put a stop to swiftlet nesting in shophouses in the area.

He said the letter, dated Nov 7, also stated his demand for a compensation of RM10 million.

Ong said he decided on the action because he had exhausted all avenues to get the authorities to stop unscrupulous entrepreneurs from converting upper floors of their shophouses in the city centre into swiftlet nesting premises, also known as swiftlet motels.

"It has been more than five years now and my family and I have suffered enough.
"Non-stop bird noise from the loudspeaker is driving us crazy and the foul smell and debris of droppings from thousands of birds is like living in hell.

"Gone are the days when I was able to gaze at a beautiful sky when the sun was about to set.

"Nowadays, when I look into the sky it is as if my neighbourhood is under seige by thousands of swiftlets.

"Complaints lodged with the city council, health department and environmental department have fallen on deaf ears," he said.

Ong said the swiftlets in the area had made life unbearable for his mother, Foo See Guan, 76, who occupied the shophouse in 1967.

"It was especially hard for her when my brother and his family, who were living with us, decided to move out this year to get away from the birds and she was heart-broken when the rest of our family stayed in a hotel when they came home for Chinese New Year last year.

"Our plight has been highlighted in the electronic and print media but it has always been the same old story with some politician or government official coming out with a promising statement but with no action taken."

When contacted yesterday, Mayor Datuk Mat Razali Kasim said the letter of demand was probably Ong's way of venting his frustration.

"He has to realise that the council is doing something about the swiftlets, but certain things like coming up with a set of guidelines on swiftlet farming need time to prepare.

"If he is serious about suing us for RM10 million, then we will see him in court."