THE land crisis involving durian farmers in Raub, Pahang, is the result of the involvement of a syndicate, which encroaches on forested land and “sells” plots to investors, said environment group, Perikatan Pencinta Alam Malaysia (Alam).

Inaction by the Pahang government and the involvement of the syndicate have led to the long-standing problem of illegal land clearing and corrupt practices, Alam president Khaidir Ahmad told The Malaysian Insight.

One acre can sell for between RM5,000 and RM15,000, depending on the terrain. The most costly are plots in valleys and close to rivers, which are also usually deep in the hills and are only accessible by off-road vehicles.

Khaidir said he had been offered land for RM12,000.

“They have encroached on thousands of acres of forest reserve land that have been planted with Musang King durian.

“I love that this area has waterfalls and rapids, but they are happy to sell it for up to RM15,000 per acre.

“This is the problem when there is no enforcement,” he said.

Durian farming in the Raub area has a history that dates back to the 1970s, when the government then pushed the Green Book policy, urging people to cultivate unused land to increase food supply.

With plenty of so-called unused forested land in the hills of Raub and Bentong, farming of various crops began, with the original farmers passing on the land to descendants.

Durians were introduced much later in the 1990s and since then, more land has been cultivated with little control by the authorities.

However, Durian farmers said they have tried to apply for titles and permits over the years, but were given short shrift.

Some Raub farmers have formed a group called the Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) to protest the state government’s new attempt to legalise land that has been encroached upon illegally, as well as to obtain revenue from land taxes.

The state in June gave the company Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd the rights and lease to lands that have been encroached upon.

The company is a joint venture between the Royal Pahang Durian Group (RPDG) and the state’s Agricultural Development Authority.

Samka is against the company’s deal with durian farmers that will require them to pay hefty levies according to the size of land cultivated, and to sell their durian harvest below market price to the company exclusively.

Syndicate colludes with land authorities

Khaidir said the syndicate would promise investors that no action will be taken by the authorities.

He said that the group “has ties” with land authorities in the area, to the extent that they can manipulate land application documents to make their deals appear legal.

“This activity stems from corruption, malpractice, and abuse of power, so it must be stopped.

“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must come in to (investigate),” said Khaidir, who contested the 2018 general election in Temerloh to raise awareness on land and environmental issues, but lost.

He pointed out other inconsistencies, such as the ability of the syndicate to enter forest reserve areas with heavy machinery to cut trees and clear land.

By law, interested parties can only enter forest reserves after paying RM30 for a permit and trespassers are liable to action.

“How can the Pahang government not be firm on this? I don’t understand. Some were arrested but then no action was taken,” he said.

Khaidir said he was willing to work with the authorities to investigate the alleged corrupt practices, including disclosing the location of forest reserve encroachments.

Potential racial issue

Khaidir has posted his allegations on his Facebook page about the involvement of a syndicate, with pictures and videos which he says are evidence of such activity.

He added that the state’s apparent reluctance to deal with land encroachments and alleged corruption could result in the matter becoming a racial problem.

The former journalist said land encroachment for the purpose of agriculture appeared to have a racial dimension, with authorities seeming to act only against one group of land cultivators.

“It appears that when Malays start cultivating one or two acres, they get caught, but when Chinese start farming on dozens of acres, no action is taken.”

Khaidir the state government must be fair when issuing land titles or licences for land use.

“If they want to give to one, they must give to all. If not, don’t give at all.”

Since news of Samka’s protest against Royal Pahang Durian’s deal for farmers earlier this month, the MACC has stepped in, taking statements from 23 farmers.

The anti-graft agency said the farmers are witnesses and not suspects, in its investigation.

The MACC is looking at allegations of abuse of power in the land encroachments, and yesterday seized documents from Raub forestry and land and district offices as part of its probe. – September 19, 2020.