Raub durian farmers claim Pahang state gov’t burnt their homes

Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) said the fires were lit in an unlicensed durian farm in Sg Klau, Raub, where planters are currently in a court dispute with the state which wants to evict them from land they have long cultivated. The farmers have also applied for land titles and leases but have not obtained them. — Pic courtesy of Samka, September 10, 2024


Raub durian farmers claim Pahang state gov’t burnt their homes


Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) representing planters suspects the alleged arson is aimed at forcing them to sign ‘unfair contracts’ with a state-linked durian company


Scoop Reporters
10 September, 2024
4:37 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR – A group of unlicensed Raub durian planters have demanded the Pahang government explain the alleged burning of farmers’ houses yesterday by a state enforcement unit.

The Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) urged the state administration, led by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, to clarify if it was responsible for committing the “inhuman act of power abuse intended to intimidate farmers”.

In a statement today, Samka president Wilson Chang said that farmers and workers had witnessed several four-wheel drive vehicles entering an unlicensed durian farm in Sg Klau, Raub, following which thick smoke started billowing from houses there.

The houses, used to accommodate workers and store tools, were razed to the ground, Chang said.

“Why is the state government being so cruel? Are the farmers terrorists? These are farmers who have been cultivating the land for generations, the very people responsible for Musang King’s international success.

“Instead of celebrating them, the state government chooses to persecute them, which is outrageous,” he said.

He said these “extreme measures” will not convince farmers into signing “unfair contracts” with Royal Pahang Durian Group, a joint venture formed between a private company and the Pahang state government in 2020 aimed at regulating durian farming in the area.

“Farmers will only become more determined to refuse any collaboration with these consortiums,” Chang added.

On September 7, SAMKA held a rally in Raub, Pahang, to highlight the challenges faced by durian farmers there, calling on authorities to lease land to the local farmers who have played a role in tending the renowned Musang King durian for decades now.

The group had reportedly sought a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to address claims of oppression by the Pahang administration, which is said to have impacted over a thousand farmers.

Present at the event was Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, who pointed out that the farmers’ long-standing efforts to secure land titles and equitable leases from the state government have yet to achieve success.

On April 24, the Kuantan High Court had dismissed a judicial review application brought by SAMKA aiming to challenge the eviction notices issued by Pahang authorities against them.

Justice Mohd Radzi Harun ruled that the state government’s decisions were not tainted by illegality, irrationality or made in bad faith, adding that there was no impropriety or unreasonableness during the decision-making process when the notices were issued.

The 186 planters had initiated the legal proceeding against the state government for issuing eviction notices for framers occupying lands in the Sg Chalit, Sg Klau, Sg Ruan, Tranum, Tras and the Gunung Benom Forest Reserve areas.

The applicants also challenged the state government’s decision to award a lease and rights to use 2,167.9ha of land in Raub to the Royal Pahang Durian Group for 30 years and an additional 30 years, as well as making it mandatory for the planters to sell durians to the company.

However, the farmers hold that the contract offered by the company is unfair to them and does not treat farmers as equal partners

The high court had ordered the farmers to pay costs amounting to RM600,000. The farmers are appealing the judgement. — September 10, 2024

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kt comments:

Of course the Pahang govt has the legal right to impose its will upon the land especially so when the farmers have no title nor TOL, given the latter's futile efforts to obtain any, despite being encouraged to cultivate the land by the Government in its Green Book during Emergency Times.

But the Pahang govt has been extremely cruel in razing down the farmers' abode in the field, lacking grace, compassion and appreciation of the farmers' contribution and effort towards cultivating the land (with Government encouragement) with productive MSK durians.

Now that the farmers' 'blood, toil, tears & sweat' are about to pay off, the state Big Shots & officers with 'rental' mentality have moved in to 'no doubt legally' but immorally (and feudalistically) exploit the 'blood, toil, tears & sweat' of the peasant-farmers. Disgusting!