Help farmers facing eviction in your constituency, Anwar told

 

PSM has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to address the plight of vegetable farmers in his parliamentary constituency of Tambun in Perak, who are facing the threat of forced eviction.

In a memorandum submitted to the Tambun MP’s office today, PSM said: “Anwar must intervene to save those who are producing food for Malaysians.”

The farmers told the prime minister that the agricultural activities on the land are the source of their livelihood.

“This forced eviction that leads to the destruction of our crops and livestock will affect our families’ source of income.

“Moreover, these agricultural activities are not only for the benefit of our families. It is well known that it is important to maintain the country’s food security,” they added in the memorandum.

The farmers also noted that Anwar himself encouraged small farmers to optimise land use through food and livestock production when tabling Budget 2024.

“Farmers in the Kanthan area are the main producers of maize in Malaysia. So, if we are chased out, it will affect our country’s food supply,” they said.

This morning, PSM activist Chong Yee Shan suffered injuries to her mouth and nose during a commotion when officers from the Perak Land and Mines (PTG) office attempted to evict six farmers.

PSM claimed that a PTG officer had shoved Chong causing her to fall.

PSM activist Chong Yee Shan

Commenting on the Oct 13 eviction notice for the six farmers ordering them to vacate the land within seven days, PSM said the farmers have been cultivating vegetables, fruits and rearing fish in the Kanthan area for decades and the relevant agencies are aware of this.

The eviction notice issued by the Kinta District and Land Office, Ipoh, stated that the farmers occupied land belonging to the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP) without legal authority.

PSM pointed out that since 2010, these farmers, through the Chemor Modern Farmers Association, have held several discussions and corresponded with PTG and the Kinta District and Land Office, Ipoh.

“Following this, PKNP issued an offer letter dated Nov 21, 2012, to the Kanthan farmers. The letter describes the details of the lease of agricultural land owned by PKNP in the Perak Hi-Tech Park area to these farmers.

“This is two acres of replacement land for a lease period of 30 years, with a rental rate of RM40 per acre annually.

“The Perak Hi-Tech Park project was not implemented as scheduled, but after an understanding was reached between PKNP and the Chemor Modern Farmers Association, the Kanthan farmers were allowed to continue cultivating their farmland without being charged any fees by PKNP,” it added.

‘Fulfil promises first’

PSM said the farmers in Kanthan are still waiting for PKNP to fulfil its promise to give them replacement land as offered in the offer letter issued on Nov 21, 2012.

“However, now the farmers in Kanthan have not only not received the offer for the replacement land promised by PKNP, but instead, an eviction notice was issued, aiming to vacate the land on behalf of PKNP,” it added.

PSM said the farmers have sent a letter through lawyers to the authorities to request that the eviction notice be cancelled under Section 425 of the National Land Code.

Last year, Malaysiakini reported how the farmers were pinning their hopes on Anwar winning the Tambun seat in the 15th general election so that their protracted “nightmare” would end. - Mkini