ROYAL Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd (RPDR-PKPP) has reiterated that the company is on a stable financial footing, dismissing rumours of a financial crisis.

Chairman Tengku Puteri Iman Afzan Al-Sultan Abdullah has said the company remains fully committed with its partner, Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Negeri Pahang (PKPP), and the state government to develop and grow the Malaysian durian industry.

“I am deeply disconcerted by a recent social media circulation, alleging the Royal Pahang Durian Group is currently facing financial difficulties and internal shareholder dissent.”

In this regard, I would like to strongly dispel these rumours as unsubstantiated and absolutely untrue,” she said in a statement.

Tengku Puteri Iman said that a police report has been lodged about the rumours, adding that the group’s partner PKPP is a state-owned company.

“Therefore, RPDR PKPP is a joint endeavour with the state,” she said.

Aside from Tengku Puteri Iman, the company’s board of directors includes Dong assemblyman Haji Shahiruddin Moin and Suhaimi Mohd Yunus of PKPP, and Cheah Siew Mun and Mun Yung Kwun from RPD.

“As such, there should not be any doubt cast upon the competency of Royal Pahang Durian Group’s management team becaue they have shown their management calibre since 2017 with their exemplary durian fruit farm in Pahang, with fruiting anticipated in 2022,”she said.

The company is also looking to build a durian processing factory, which will be in full compliance with local council regulations, proper planning, internationally accepted hazard analysis and critical control points guidelines.

RPDR-PKPP is currently in the process of obtaining the required approvals, after which construction will begin.

“I would like to reiterate that I have full confidence that our management team will always carry out their duties professionally,” she added.

On June 24, Pahang awarded the Royal Pahang Durian Group the lease and rights to 2,168ha of land in Raub for 30 years, with the option for 30 more.

The joint venture firm, RPDR-PKPP was set up to purportedly curb encroachment on state land for durian cultivation.

The state also contends that durian farmers have been planting without a permit and that a contract with the state-appointed middleman is a way to legalise their operations.

Durian farmers group the Save Musang King Alliance (SAMKA) has protested against the contract, alleging that members were forced to sign. – November 21, 2020.