We love swiftlet farming, forever and ever!!!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Where has "Mr nice guy" gone?


Where have the good teachers gone?


Where have the “sifus” and “mahagurus” gone?


Where have the good professionals gone?


Where have the good doctors and lawyers gone?


Sounds familiar, right?


Confucius said this before: “Among three persons walking together, there will be one teacher”. Question is whether this teacher is a responsible and honest one or not?


Almost everyday and everywhere, I meet up with a lot of so-called “joker” doctors, mediocre lawyers and irresponsible teachers….Doctors who are busy with multi-level marketing, selling vitamins and healthcare products, lawyer calling a spade a “spate”, and teachers giving tips only during their “outside” tuition class, so on and so forth…


The cruel fact is: Most of them have become the greedy parties that taking full advantage of others’ ignorance and unknowingness.


Let’s look at the reality….


What has happened to the private hospital?


A patient must have a medical card or credit card or enough cash before they are entitled the right to get admitted into it; else, they are still left aside to suffer the physical agony and mental torture.


The hospital is very eager, hand in hand with the insurance company, to work out a very “attractive package” for you, you get what I mean?


What on earth of these sane doctors’ mindset for letting the patients dieing a slow death?


Where is the code of ethics?


Isn’t that loopholes in the laws and regulations?


We have seen that in their relentless pursuit of profits, the patients end up in a situation that the service rendered becomes highly unaffordable and they are unable to access the needed treatment, which has very much defeated the original sacred purpose and deviated from the original good intention, which is to save lives and relief pains and have the patient’s interest come first at heart.


Is this so-called the next new trend? Or the next millionaire’s way?


Making money at others' expense?

.

Back to our swiftlet ranching business….


We are also facing almost the similar problems. It is nothing new. There are a few CON -sultants with hidden agendas earning handsome money thru conning approach. We can’t see slight sincerity in their eyes, all we can see is the dollar sign.


All this boils down to “willing buyer willing seller”. It is beyond one person’s capability to change and do something about it.


Nowadays, the status of professional or consultant is severely weakened. Capitalism is eating the capitalists. Put it in layman terms: professionals are making unusually extra underserved money from their profession. They tend to turn themselves into salesman and start to deliver bullshit and nonsense, if stringent monitoring mechanism or system to prevent culprit or black sheep is not in place.


The swiftlet consultants should come clean and responsibly upkeep the professionalism. They should doctor a value-engineered design for the newbies and charging them at a fair rate.


The point is newbies are always the losers and illegal ranchers continue to be victimized by the authorities that trying to be funny and not live up to expectation.


In the pursuit of relentless profiteering, deceiving is something unavoidable?


In our modern business world, is this the price that we have to pay for commercialization of everything?


So, my dear swiftlet-loving friend, just beware of the plausibility of a salesman.


The truth might not always palatable.


However, it does not take a genius brain to realize who is CONsultant and who is not.


All the righteous people out there should expose the hollowness of the cons, at all costs….


for there should not be any efforts to circumvent the laws and further hurt the industry.


No more.




Saturday, May 23, 2009

Farming of Change!

In this world, the only thing that always remains unchanged is change itself.

We just cannot stick to yesteryear's approach or way of getting things done and refuse to change.

We live in a challenging & ever-transforming world and always need to solve the challenging problems come to us and in order to cope up with that, our mindset must be tuned up as fast to keep abreast with the fast pace, keep reinventing ourselves, so that we are not left behind under the swift current of change.

Over the years, swiftlet farming has experienced tremendous change and also has seen many loopholes whereby newbies are not properly guided and ended up in misery state and due to public uproar the local council is most unwilling to issue the operating permit. I will not elaborate more on this issue, the reality has spoken volume of it.

I just would like to stress that slight change in the fabric of our thinking can make us moving forward. We should not be going backward as we are modern animal. We are no longer living in caves and we should not become lone ranger. Individualism will bring us to nowhere. We should work in group. Join the local BN association. We need to unlearn from the old way of doing thing quietly without consulting others.

We should work hand in hand to remove the black sheep and cart away the annoying weed of this industry. It is analogical to the "barrel" theory, the barrel will never be filled up if there is still a big hole not patched up. The in-cooperative and recalcitrant few will drag us down further and we are not going anywhere, no thanks to their selfishness and personal hidden agendas, capitalising on newbies' ignorance, reaping profit & pursuing happiness on their suffering, during the process of learning the ropes of the trade.

Just think about that, do your part to make this industry a better one for our children and families, join the local BN association today, join the force, fight the evil, and find win-win ways to address social unrest & public complaints.

Because we are part of the business, part of the big family, we should help each other and under the umbrella of the associations, hopefully we are protected more than ever.

Together, we can make a difference!

Thank you and good luck.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

URGENT MESSAGE FROM DAVID LIM




URGENT MESSAGE FROM DAVID LIM


To all BH owners in the state of Kedah,

The Kedah PR Govt is now discussing the state guidelines on the issuance of BH license with the State Perancang which is under the Federal Govt. Twice previously the proposals by the Perancang was shot down by the Kedah Govt as it was considered too stringent and not benefitting the people esp those in the rural and kampong. The Kedah Govt proposes all BHs’ applications be submitted through the associations for better control and management by this year. Mr David Lim and his taskforce is requested and tasked to assist in forming a PROTEM PERSATUAN RUMAH WALET KEDAH, (PROTEM KEDAH SWIFTLET HOUSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION)( 吉打州燕屋屋主公会) to help the Kedah owners.

As Kedah is a rather big and wide state, in order to service and attend to the members better, the protem committee is proposing to divide the state into 3 sectors UNDER SUB-COMMITTEE, namely, UTARA, TENGAH and SELANTAN.( 吉北,吉中,吉南) There will be an office rented or tumpang with either a full time or part-time executive secretary assisting the sub-committee in their respective sector. The centre for UTARA is ALOR STAR, TENGAH is SUNGAI PETANI, and SELANTAN is KULIM.

The proposed entrance fee will be RM 350 for each new member and subscription will be RM 10/month per BH which makes a total of RM 120/BH/calendar year. Only BH registered with full subscription paid will receive assistance, recognition and endorsement from the Persatuan.

As the protem committee is very badly short handed in initial stage, we would appreciate more volunteers to come forward to assist at least temporarily till Persatuan is formed proper. IT IS BETTER YOU DECIDE YOUR OWN DESTINY THAN LETTING OTHERS TO DECIDE FOR YOU.

The taskforce will be having an open dialogue cum discussion session at the request of many owners in Kulim on 18.05.09(Mon) night @ 8.30pm at 768, Jalan Pondok Labu, Bandar Putra, Kulim.

YB Lim Soo Nee, ADUN for KULIM will grace the occasion as Advisor for the sector.

Baling, Bandar Baru, Serdang, Lunas, Padang Serai, Tasik Gelugor, Kuala Ketil etc are under Kulim sector.
As dates and times for the UTARA and TENGAH dialogue sessions will be announced in later date.

ALL BH OWNERS IN THE STATE OF KEDAH ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS AND SUGGESTIONS. MORE HEADS IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN ONE. UNITY IS STRENGTH.

Enquary: 012-4850778(DL), 019-4489966(Tang)

Please help spread the following msg:-

吉打燕屋主公会筹委会緊急召集全吉南燕主商州政府指南与礼申。居林太子城斗母宮辦事処,门牌768。18.05.09 星期一晚830PM。請轉发。林大伟

PROTEM PERSATUAN RUMAH WALET KEDAH MEETS ALL BIRDHOUSE OWNERS IN KEDAH SELATAN DISCUSS KEDAH GUIDELINES & LICENSE ON 18.05.09(MON)@830PM AT 768,BANDAR PUTRA,KULIM.PL NOTIFY ALL.DAVID LIM



Saturday, May 16, 2009

Black Magic in Swiftlet Farming - Believe It or Not?



I am not superstitious and I do not believe that "black magic" can be used to change the result of a failed BH.

I always strongly believe in scientific method and explanation. Scientific logic, observation and theories can't be wrong and we are safe to adopt them so long as they are effective in addressing our problems.

Not because that I am an engineer, it is for the reason that we who live in this modern world does not have the exposure to enable us to accept such ancient belief in supernatural power and paranormal incidents.

Yes, "shaman" or "bomoh"(in Malay language) is the last person we would want to see when nothing much the modern world doctors can do to cure our illness. Or may be sometimes salesman(who sells direct selling health care products) also can be the Samaritan that can save our life when we totally lose hope.

People will accept strange and unexplainable stuff when the last means is exhausted and they still do not want to give up.

It is unthinkable that there is people resort to the so-called "magic" to revive or revamp their failed swiftlet farms.

Unbelievable but true, it works in some cases...

A friend of mine from Indonesia, managed to turn his miserable failed BH with the help of black magic (6 years without a single bird flying in since after the operation). So far he had tried numerous methods to create suitable atmosphere for the birds but to no avail.

Temperature checked, ok. Humidity checked, no problem. Brightness checked, just nice. BH design verified, just fine. Ventilation checked, alright. All these years, he have been scratching and cracking his head to bring back the BH to life, but all the efforts were ended up in vain, not until he met a sifu by chance, who showed him the black magic way that successfully yield good result.

Now his BH is back in good shape, with birds swarming in like crazy.

How he did it?

It only took him to believe that a black cloth hung in the roving area could do the trick, nothing else.



Of course, the process of "input of magic spell" by the shaman into that cloth, the secret weapon will remain secret forever...my friend promise to keep his mouth sealed on the secret recipe.

Hey, this black magic is as good as cash, it is more to it than meets the eye...

My friend not even paid a single cent for the service given.

Well, do you believe it?

This is just my friend's personal experience, I think he did not lie to me.

It's kinda hard to believe it...

When we are asking to prove a belief, we put the belief to the test of "True or Not", thus it needs to be proven.

What do you believe is true even though you cannot prove it?


Thursday, May 14, 2009

Lesson learned from my teacher




Like to share the followings with the newbies. It has been useful to me and successfully tuned my mindset on the right track.


In the BH renovation, there are a few aspects one has to consider.

It is just like in the normal building industry that involves the followings:-

1) The architect and the civil engineer (designer)

2) The main contractor (builder)

3) The various workers (labourers and the various sub-cons, such as plumber, electrician etc)

4) The specific function specialists, in the case of a BH, it is the various basic equipment to be placed at the right position to maximise its specific effect to the right level for best result for the required atmosphere or purpose.

5) The special effect specialist, in this case, the sound system specialist.

In order to achieve the best result and to maximise your investment so as not to fail or delay and later got to re-renovate many times again, the above 5 factors are considered inevitable and need to be addressed real carefully.

In the market, every BH owner does know these. But the normal problem faced is how to get the best of these 5 for your BH renovation?

There are few options of doing the renovation.

1) For a total layman who knows nothing but still want to invest into this BH, he can engage someone who provides everything from A to Z, all the layman needs to do is just sit tight and pay the money. This we call it TURNKEY PROJECT. This is practised most widely.

2) The 2nd method will be, the owner breaks the whole package down to :-

a) Appointment of a proven experienced designer who designs and advises you to supervise others to do the job except the sound system.
b) Separately engage a main-con to do all the internal works at your instruction upon advice of the designer.
c) The owner will buy the necessary equipment to be fitted by the main-con at the advice of the designer.
d) Engage a proven sound specialist to provide and do up the sound system in a package.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Hooray, town BHs are safe now!



At last, the town BHs are safe at this moment.

But,....

Newbies and newcomers in town are not allowed?

This is a discriminatory policy, I supposed.

Who is and who should be considered as newcomer?

Why the president just take care of himself and his "members" or "gang" only?

Why the newbies are deprived of the right to own a town BH? They do not have as equal right as the old timers or old newbies?

Where is the fairness?



Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The 2007 Malaysian Swiftlet Farming Industry Report (Summary and Synopsis) for download

The 2007 Malaysian Swiftlet Farming Industry Report

(Summary and Synopsis

(Publication Date: 1st June 2007)

By

Encik Hameed Sultan Merican

Former State Deputy Chairman

&

Former Chairman of Agricultural and Agro-based Businesses Sub-Committee

SMI Association of Penang

& assisted by the Agricultural and Agro-based Businesses Sub-Committee


Click the below link for downloading:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nnmnjji1zvy/smi report on farm.doc


Saturday, May 2, 2009

So long as license can be given, I am willing to comply!


燕屋须乾凈及加入公会‧申请养燕执照需2条件


(森美兰‧芙蓉)马来西亚燕窝商联合会秘书马瑞来指出,养燕同业必须注意燕屋干凈及加入燕窝公会,才能向有关当局申请养燕执照。


他说,首相拿督斯里纳吉早前在巫统大会上就经济课题发表演说时,曾指燕窝业前景可观,每年都赚取约80亿令吉的外匯,他呼吁更多人加入养燕业,並向当局申请执照。


他週五(4月24日)晚上出席由森州养燕公会举办的一项交流会时,向逾50名出席的养燕业者发如是表示。


转载自星洲日报 2009-04-26 14:25

***************************************************************************************************************

So long as BH operating license can be given, I am willing to comply, just name and spell out clearly the conditions.


Personally I think the two conditions mentioned above are not sufficient (BH's cleanliness and become a member of BN association). We should at least emphasize more on the noise or sound control as this is the most important issue to be taken care of.


Someone has said this before, a person's attitude will be exhibited in his habit, his habit will formulate his character and his character will change his fate and his future.


As such, our attitude can give impact on our future and destiny. We should have the right attitude for this business. If we sincerely want to see the growth in this business, we should not arouse trouble to the neighbours and always remember that if only we-win-others-lose, the business will not last long.


No matter how good is the gold mine, it will run dry if you do not think and care of what you have done to the society.


Friday, May 1, 2009

Thank you, my dear swiftlets!




Thank you, my dear swiftlets!

You are simply the best and most faithful employees I ever have.

You never complain much, you never take leave and after all you do not ask for an annual increment of salary (Even though I did pay a lot to provide you a sanctuary).

You just work quietly and diligently without a word of lamentation.

You make me happy when I am dull, you bright me up when I know that you agree to stay and work for me.

I feel indebted to you and it's an honour to have you as my employees.

Once again, this Labour day I want to thank you for your loyalty..... your outstanding service given....the unconditional support rendered and wish you happy forever and ever.


Sincerely yours
swiftlet hotel host
1st of May 09


40 dB is too low

Even though noise from BH's speakers should be controlled, personally I feel that the current permissible sound level 40 dB (specified by the guideline) is considered difficult to achieve.

According to WHO's recommendation, the standard for the residential area should be 55db during the day, 45db during the night.

In order to justify my argument, I substantiate herewith some info related to this matter.


Q : What does a decibel measure?
A : The decibel is a measure of sound intensity as a function of power ratio, with the difference in decibels between two sounds being given by dB=10 log 10 (P 1 /P 2 ), where P 1 and P 2 are the power levels of the two sounds.
Q : What is the decibel level of normal sound?
A : The level of normal conversation is about 50 to 60 dB.

www.encyclopedia.com




the Montgomery County Noise Control Ordinance makes it illegal to:
Operate, or allow to be operated, a radio, television, or other electronic sound-producing device on public or private property if the sound exceeds 55 decibels at the receiving property line.

www.montgomerycountymd.gov


Sound that the human ear can perceive is measured in decibels, or dB(A), with a device known as a decibel meter. Good quality sound measuring equipment can easily exceed $10,000, and takes a trained technician to operate and interpret documented test results. This is not equipment that you can obtain from the local rental company.

People often compare various sound situations for their own perspective. The average background noise in a house is about 50 dB(A), while a car driving down a street will be measured at 60 dB(A) at a distance of 300 feet. A “quiet” vacuum cleaner will emanate sound at 70 dB(A), about the same noise level that is attributed to an expressway when standing 100 feet away from it. Nearby trees on a breezy day will measure about 55 to 60 dB(A) on a decibel meter.

The human ear can only distinguish sound differences of about 3 dB(A) or greater. This means that a sound source must be at least 3 dB(A) louder than ambient, or background environmental, sound before there is a noticeable difference between a given sound and other background noises.

www.awea.org/faq/sagrillo/ms_noise_0404.html



Sound pressure levels in the dining room ranged from 70dB(A) to 85dB(A), with peak noise levels as loud as 100 dB(A). Typical residential sound levels in a noisy home are in the 50 to 60 db range. Levels in the 80-85dB range are more consistent with factories and shop floors.

www.ap.buffalo.edu/idea/Publications/ArchitecturalBarriers.htm


Therefore, acceptable noise level for residential area should be 55 dB.