RAUB: Authorities today set up roadblocks at the entrances of unlicensed durian plantations near Kampung Sungai Chalit here, despite the state government assuring farmers yesterday that enforcement operations against them would be postponed.
The Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) group, comprising durian farmers without permits, are crying foul, saying that the state government has not kept its word on delaying action.
"This morning, enforcement officers set up roadblocks at the entrance to the farms and farmers were not allowed to enter or work at their plantations.
"Even the policemen stationed at the entrance were shouting loudly and threatened the farmers, saying that those who do not cooperate would be detained under Section 186 of the Penal Code (obstructing a public servant from carrying out his duties)," read the statement.
Samka said if Royal Pahang Durian (RPD) genuinely wants to foster strong ties and have a good relationship with the farmers, they should not act in such a manner.
"They should not disrupt the daily activities of the farmers at the plantations and make them frightened. The move will only result in possible losses to the farmers who cannot attend to their farms.
"However, the farmers will continue to fight for their rights to enter the plantations and have taken the matter to court... we have slogged hard and will protect the durian farms," said the statement.
Samka shared several videos and images showing the presence of policemen, including some in plainclothes, and police cones arranged at plantation entrances.
It is learnt that the Raub district and land office staffs had gone to the farms to conduct land surveys and check the durian areas.
However, efforts to obtain an official confirmation on the enforcement activities proved futile, as none of the agencies involved was available for comment.
Last month, Tras assemblyman Chow Yu Hui criticised the state government for disregarding durian farmers' livelihoods by setting up the Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd without consulting them.
In a statement, the state government said growing concerns over huge areas being cleared to cultivate Musang King durian trees in Raub led it to appoint Royal Pahang Durian Resources to help put an end to unbridled deforestation.
Meanwhile, Pahang Agricultural Industry Organisation chairman Datuk Seri Zuhairi Ab. Kadir praised the state government for the bold move, saying that all state-owned land illegally opened for agriculture, housing or industrial activities have to be taken back.
He said widespread illegal land-clearing activities have resulted in a lot of losses which should instead be revenue for the state government.
"We support the move taken by the Pahang government to set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to resolve the issues concerning illegal durian farms in Raub. The land belongs to the state government and it is their responsibility to take the necessary action to get it back," he said in a statement today.
On Aug 1, state secretary Datuk Seri Dr. Salehuddin Ishak said illegal durian farms in Raub had cost the state government RM30 million in losses over the last 10 years in land tax revenues.