INVESTIGATION papers have been opened on claims of illegal encroachment on state land by durian farmers in Raub, but no one has been summoned for questioning, anti-graft chief Azam Baki said.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner denied a statement by a group of durian farmers that 50 unlicensed farmers would be summoned to the MACC today.

“No farmers have been called, that is not true, who is making up such stories. As of last night, I have not been informed that any farmers would be summoned,” Azam said.

He confirmed that investigation papers have been opened by the Pahang MACC on alleged abuse of power in the land encroachments.

The Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) said in a statement yesterday that 50 unlicensed farmers from Raub have been contacted by the MACC and were told to give their statements to the authority today.

Samka called the move an act of intimidation while it is currently in dispute with the Pahang state government over a deal to “legalise” the land that farmers had encroached on to expand durian plantations.

Samka has called the deal unfair and wants to deal with the state government directly, rather than through its intermediary, a company called Royal Pahang Durian which wants to collect high levies and be the sole buyer of Grade A Musang King durians at a below-market price. – September 15, 2020.