Raub durian standoff: MACC summons 50 farmers for questioning

(File pic) Some 50 farmers who have been operating orchards without permits have been served notices to appear in groups at the district MACC office. - Photo by FARIZUL HAFIZ AWANG/NSTP

RAUB: Durian farmers near here who have been operating orchards without permits have been summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for questioning, beginning Tuesday.

Some 50 farmers have been served notices to appear in groups at the district MACC office starting at 10am, believed to be for questioning over widespread land encroachment activities in the area.

In a statement today, the Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) said the farmers were either contacted by the MACC, or visited by officers at their homes, where they were served the notices.

Samka, a group comprising durian farmers without permits, expressed their surprise over MACC's large-scale operation of summoning them, saying it remains unclear if the graft-buster's action is based on substantial evidence or political pressure.

"Previously, Pas and Parti Putra Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), lodged reports to urge the MACC to investigate the Raub durian farmers. The MACC later said they will initiate investigations and started to probe the farmers.

"The MACC's investigations or questioning should be based on evidence. Since the MACC has called some 50 farmers, they might be actually trying their luck to gather evidence through large-scale questioning… their action appears to lack professionalism," read the statement.

Samka has appointed lawyers to accompany the farmers tomorrow.

It said the MACC's move oppresses the marginalised farmers, and that their target is not the "dishonest officers" but those who have been working hard on their farms.

"Raub farmers have nothing to hide, but why did MACC never initiate any investigation against us all these years, only coming forward when the private corporation (Royal Pahang Durian Resources-PKPP Sdn Bhd) wants to take over the unlicensed durian farms?

"Farmers here were encouraged by the government in the 1970s to cultivate idle land and had followed the procedures, including applying to the District and Land Office, and the Forestry Department for land titles and permits," it read.

Samka pleaded to the MACC not to harass the farmers without substantial evidence, as such a move would not only impact MACC's credibility, but jeopardise the farmers' daily routine and might result in loses in terms of durian harvest.

Samka alleges that the investigation shows that the authorities and the corporation (RPDR-PKPP) are feeling the heat from the farmers' struggle, prompting them to find ways to hinder the farmers' action to fight for their rights.

On Sept 8, the state MACC began investigations into encroachment of state government land which had been turned into illegal durian plantations in Raub.

The MACC stressed that it will not compromise with any party involved in corruption or abuse of power in the durian issue.

A recent joint venture deal between RPDR-PKPP had upset durian farmers in Raub, who claim that the deal would result in small-scale farmers incurring losses.

The state government said growing concerns over huge areas being cleared to cultivate Musang King durian trees in Raub led the state government to appoint RPDR-PKPP to help put an end to unbridled deforestation. - NST