Roadblock stops unlicensed Raub durian growers from entering farms

Pahang enforcement authorities were said to have set up a roadblock at the entrance of unlicensed durian plantations in Raub this morning.

Several villagers in the area told Malaysiakini that they witnessed about 20 police officers arriving at Kampung Sungai Chalit in four-wheel-drive vehicles bearing police insignia.

The uniformed police were said to be joined by plainclothes officers who then set up a blockade across the main road which serves as an entrance to many different durian farms.

A representative from the Royal Pahang Durian Group (RPDG) was also spotted at the scene where the roadblock was being set up, said a villager.

According to the villagers and durian growers, some of the unlicensed durian farmers had previously bought their "entry permits" from RPDG at the price of RM1,000 per acre of land (RM404 per hectare).

Therefore, some of the durian growers were allowed to enter their farms.

The Pahang state government previously announced that the land the farmers were illegally occupying would be leased to a joint venture, Royal Pahang Durian Produce-PKPP Sdn Bhd (RPDP-PKPP).

This was being done in order to “legalise” the land.

RPDG is a group of companies linked to Pahang royalty. RPDP-PKPP is a joint venture between Royal Pahang Durian Resources Sdn Bhd and state-owned Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Negeri Pahang (PKPP).

The joint venture was reportedly formalised in March with the objective of operating the country’s largest durian-processing centre slated for completion by June 2021.

[More to follow]

--Mkini