Durian land row: Raub MP repeats call for state to negotiate

Summary

• Raub MP Chow Yu Hui and Samka chairperson Wilson Chang released from police custody today.

• They were arrested yesterday for allegedly obstructing public servants during a durian farm enforcement in Raub.

• Chow calls on the Pahang government to come and negotiate with the farmers over the land dispute.

Raub MP Chow Yu Hui and Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) chairperson Wilson Chang have been released after a night in police custody for allegedly obstructing public servants from performing their duties.

In a statement after their release, Chow (above) repeated a call for the Pahang state government to meet with Samka and hash out their dispute over lands being used to farm durians.

“For 50 to 60 years, farmers here have cultivated this land - applying again and again for land titles, for permits, for recognition.

“They have never turned away from cooperation. But if the state continues to bulldoze ahead - chasing profits and bowing to corporate interests - then what is left to negotiate?” he said.

Likewise, Chang said that the farmers in his alliance also respect the rule of law.

“We farmers respect the rule of law. We hold it dear. Yet some parties - emboldened by greed - openly defy court orders and destroy our trees, our work, and our lives. This is lawlessness in plain sight,” Chang said.

Bid to reclaim

The Pahang government is attempting to reclaim unlicensed durian farms on a large scale through a joint venture between state statutory body Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Negeri Pahang (PKPP) and a royalty-linked private company Royal Pahang Durian Resources (RPDR).

Last week, farmers clashed with state personnel while the latter were clearing Musang King trees on disputed land near Sungai Klau.

Chow and Chang’s arrest is believed to be related to this incident.

The farmers claimed the Pahang government had violated a court order by cutting down hundreds of the Musang King trees.

In response, the Pahang government denied it violated a court order, with state legal adviser Saiful Edris Zainuddin saying the trees were on illegally occupied land, which meant the trees were not protected by the court order.

The Court of Appeal had also rejected the farmers’ application for a stay of an eviction order due to the applicants not following the correct legal procedure, Saiful said, reiterating that the land is owned by the government.

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