AFTER Pahang authorities suspended plans to take action against unlicensed durian farms in Raub yesterday, farmers have been blocked from entering their orchards because state and private sector officials are inspecting the sites.

Tras assemblyman Chow Yu Hai said police blocked a road leading to the farms in Sungai Chalit today so that state officials and Royal Pahang Durian Group (RPDG) executives could visit the farms.

Only farmers who have a pass issued by RPDG are allowed through.

“The roadblock was set up around 11am and we were told that it is only for today. 

“The police told us the reason for the roadblock was to avoid confrontation between officers and farmers because they are here for a survey today,” Chow told The Malaysian Insight.

RPDG is in a joint venture with the state government to form Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd.

Pahang awarded the company on June 24 the lease and rights to 5,357 acres (2,168 hectares) in Raub for 30 years, with an option for another 30.

The scheme is purportedly to legalise unlicensed durian farms in the area and to stop land encroachments from farm expansions.

But the farmers, who have formed the Save Musang King Alliance (Samka), say the scheme also imposes on them a harsh contract that 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. 

The state government issued a notice that from August 24, all land on which durian was being illegally cultivated in Kg Sg Ruan, Sg Chalit and Sg Klau would be seized. 

However, the plan to act against unlicensed durian farmers was suspended yesterday after Bilut rep Lee Chin Chen raised farmers’ disagreement over a contract with a state-appointed company at the Pahang assembly. 

Samka 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 25, 2020.