Message from Mr David Lim

Quote Lucas 1: CONTEMPLATION OF FORMING A SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO TACKLE THE PERHILITAN CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES


DL received numerous complaints of bird’s nest being detained, confiscated or componded in exit points in KLIA and LCCI recently. One China tourist after first time touring here, purchased 2 kg of processed nest as hand gift and for self consumption was stopped at the Security Screening Unit. It seemed that he was compounded RM1, 500 by the Custom before he was allowed to bring the nest board the plane. We do not know if the money is paid officially to the Custom, Perhilitan or duit kopi. There are simply too many such cases causing harassment to the people including genuine foreign tourists carrying only 2 ounces. This news have deterred and frightened many tourists from buying bird’s nest in Malaysia and even caused negative publicity on our inbound tourism resulting in slow down of foreign tourists.

According to the Custom Act, there is no tax or duty on bird’s nest going out of Malaysia. Presently, only the Perhilitan is imposing the controversial exit tax of RM100/kg on nest for export. The lengthy and troublesome bureaucratic red tapes and procedures implemented since 2007 has caused a sharp decline in demand of the Malaysia produced nests and thus the prices of nests tumbled down due to a sudden glut of nests since then.

Previously and prior to the ‘silent’ implementation of the EXIT TAX by the Perhilitan at exit points, the foreign buyers on average used to make 6 to 8 trips a month to buy nest from here. With the controversial and ambiguous process and procedure of the Perhilitan, it immediately caused inconvenience, troubles and hardship to these foreign buyers and their trips to Malaysia reduced to a maximum of only 2 per month. A 75% drop. Many cases of harassment, arrests, and confiscation of nests were caused to these buyers in airports. On top of this, additional RM 100/kg plus other extra operation costs, such as extended lodging, transports, labour etc incurred have rendered the buying of Malaysia nests become less attractive and competitive to them. Many turned away from here and to outsource from other countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia etc for all the convenience. The price of above RM5, 000/kg of the 1st grade of nest prior to 2007 has today dropped to only RM2, 500, a drop of 50%. Many Malaysian owners are overstocked with no demand from foreign buyers and are facing immensely increased financial hardship. This is very alarming and could be disastrous and it has also caused a heavy loss in much needed foreign revenue to Malaysia for the last 2 years.

In view of the continuous deterioration of the situation, something has to be done by the local owners who are also the citizens of Malaysia for self rescue before the whole Malaysia BH industry and economy crumble due to this inconsiderate and shortsighted act and abuse of power and procedure and the injustice done by a certain unscrupulous high ranking officials from a certain quarter Govt department to mislead the Ministry to pass through such unwise, undesirable and unfavourable Enactment and policy both to the country and its people. This is unwittingly and slowly crippling and killing the new found and God sent Golden Goose let of Malaysia before it could even come to maturity. This is just like hitting own feet with stone.

In view of the seriousness and the worsening situation faced by this industry, Mr David Lim is volunteering and considering organising a Task Force urgently to specially investigate on this matter. He is planning to appeal to volunteers from BH owners across Malaysia to help in. He cannot do it alone. This Task Force (TF) shall do the collection of data, evidence of cases, information of malpractices, hardship caused, and corruption practices by the relevant departments. The TF shall then compile them and would have these studied and scrutinised by a panel of professional constitutional lawyers and experienced professionals. The findings and recommendations would then be attached and enclosed in a memorandum to be presented directly to the Ministers of the relevant Ministries including the Prime Minister Department. A meeting for dialogue would be sought with the Ministers including the Prime Minister.

DL would like to remind that the people are the BOSSES of this country. The YBs (CEO) are elected and entrusted by the BOSSES to administer this country properly and to implement good policies to serve and to benefit the BOSSES of this country with JUSTICE and FAIRNESS and without personal hidden agenda. With unity of the BOSSES (people) and with the constitutional right vested, we shall decide who shall be the next good CEOs.

Rightfully this action should be taken up and spearheaded by the committees of the numerous birds’ nest associations scattered across the country. But it may be due to the various circumstances and reasons and the disunity, not much positive actions seemed or seen to have done. Understand that several attempts had been brought up by certain associations regarding the issues but to no avail and follow ups. It is also understandable that not all the committees in an association are committed and possessed the calibre and ability to pursue the matter. May be there exists only one or two individual in each association who are prepared to do it but due to inadequate of support and assistance rendered by the other fellow committees, thus not much could be done. Sometimes, the committees holding high positions are simply illiterate and totally inefficient and lacking of knowledge as to how to do it is the main cause.

DL would like to invite such individual committee with the sense of commitment, righteousness and dedication to come forwards to liaise with him as an individual volunteer and to join in this ad hoc TF and share and work as a team to tackle the various BH issues. DL also invites everybody and anybody in this forum to join in to play a small role as he deems fit. Please remember that every BH owner, trader, consultant, or blogger is on the same boat. So, whether you want to continue to sail or sink together, it is all up to you. Only with unity with proper strategy and planning as ateam, we can win. If everybody is selfish, expecting somebody to do it, in the end nobody does it; the future of this industry is sure doomed.

Those prepared to help in to save the industry, please either post it up here or in Lowyat forum or PM to Lucas 1 or contact DL directly.