SITIAWAN: Operators of swiftlet bird’s nest in Manjung have called for swift action from the authorities to curb the rampant increase in bird’s nest thefts which have racked up losses estimated at hundreds of thousands of ringgit.
One of them, Tang Hok Ming said his bird’s nest premises at Simpang Lima here had been broken into 19 times over the last two years, incurring losses amounting to RM100,000.
Having been a bird’s nest operator for 10 years, he said the thefts had resulted in his earnings to dwindle and he might even be forced to close down the premises due to high losses.
“Previously, I was able to earn about RM8,000 a month but now, I have zero income because the bird’s nest are often stolen. When nests are stolen, the birds also do not frequent the premises,” said the 45-year-old when met at the premises here today.
Sharing similar woes, another operator, Sia Kai Huat, 79, said the bird’s nest premises he had worked hard to maintain for 13 years had been broken into six times over the past two years, with the recent incident reported on April 23.
“I have incurred losses of about RM30,000, as well as other expenditure for repairs to the grille doors and windows due to the sharp rise in thefts lately.
“We believe the modus operandi of the perpetrators is to commit the thefts in groups, as early as 2 or 3am and resort to various ways to break in, including scaling the premises and breaking the alarm system,” he added.
Meanwhile for bird’s nest operator, Seng Eng, 63, the close distance between his bird’s nest premises and his house in Ayer Tawar does not assure safety for the premises.
In January, his bird’s nest premises were broken into by thieves. Damage was estimated at RM3,000.
“We hope the authorities, including the Sitiawan state assemblyman will do something about this spike in bird’s nest thefts as we cannot bear the losses anymore,” said Senf.
Meanwhile, Manjung police chief, ACP Muhammad Hanif Othman said following reports lodged on the thefts in Sitiawan, investigations were underway to track down the suspects and intensify patrols.
“The police patrol the areas. However, most of the premises are located in isolated areas which are far from the main roads,” he noted. -- Bernama