THE Pahang government has suspended plans to act against durian farmers without permits, said two assemblymen.

Bilut rep Lee Chin Chen, in a statement, said state Agriculture, Agro-based Industries and Biotechnology Committee chairman Mohd Soffi Abdul Razak confirmed the matter in the Pahang Legislative Assembly, after the former raised farmers’ disagreement over a contract with a state-appointed company.

“Soffi confirmed in the state assembly that the enforcement action, which was supposed to be carried out today, will be suspended.”

This was also confirmed by Tras rep Chow Yu Hui at a solidarity gathering with members of the Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) at Pasar Sg Klau this morning.

The group comprises durian farmers in the Raub area who have been planting without permits. They have said their repeated attempts to apply for titles with state authorities were not entertained.

Samka today protested against a contract that members said they were forced to sign with Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd, which was purportedly appointed to “legalise” the issue.

Its contract with farmers includes a RM6,000 levy per 0.4ha for this year, and selling Grade A musang king at a fixed rate of RM30 per kg to solely the company through next year.

This is significantly lower than the average market price of RM45 per kg, while the levy means a farmer with a 4ha plot will have to pay RM60,000 in rent a year, Chow previously said.

The state government had issued a notice that starting today, all land on which durian was being illegally cultivated in Kg Sg Ruan, Sg Chalit and Sg Klau would be seized.

On June 24, it awarded Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP, a joint venture between the Royal Pahang Durian Group and Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Negeri Pahang, the lease and land use rights for 2,168ha in Raub for “30 plus 30 years”. It was part of a land legalisation scheme to resolve the issue of large-scale illegal durian cultivation in the district.

Samka chairman Wilson Chang told The Malaysian Insight that today’s decision is a timely relief, but the fight must continue.

“The cancellation of today’s enforcement action is the result of united resistance from durian farmers here.

“This is our first victory, but we need to continue fighting because the battle is not yet over.”

The group previously said it has appointed lawyers and plans to seek an injunction to stop Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP and the state government from taking action against the farmers. – August 24, 2020.