Pahang MB will not compromise with durian farmers

The Pahang government said it will not enforce an eviction order against a group of durian farmers in Raub until the disposal of their suit.

However, Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail warned that he does not intend to compromise with the farmers because they are occupying the land illegally.

"I wish to stress that the government does not intend to oppress the farmers. Instead, the government is acting in accordance with the law.

"The farmers should be citizens who adhere to the law and vacate the state land that they have been illegally occupying," said Wan Rosdy in a statement today.

The Kuantan High Court will hear the farmers' judicial review application against the Raub District and Land Office eviction order on Oct 28.

A group of durian farmers are fighting eviction orders despite not having legal rights to the land.

The state government has decided to lease a 2,168ha of land to a joint venture between state statutory body Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Negeri Pahang (PKPP) and the royalty-linked private firm Royal Pahang Durian Resources (RPDR).

RPDR-PKPP had offered to sublease the land to the farmers, who in turn claimed that the terms were exploitative.

Some are also claiming that they have rights to the land under the Security Relocation Scheme (RPSK) implemented by the state government in the 1970s. - Mkini