A group of Musang King durian farmers in Raub, Pahang has lodged a police report after unknown individuals and 10 armed personnel showed up at Sungai Chalit on Jan 5.
Fearing for their safety, a villager lodged a report on behalf of 130 villagers and farmers on Tuesday.
According to the police report sighted by Malaysiakini, the villager said: "I saw three trucks with vehicle number plates covered with black sellotape and without road tax entering the RPS Sungai Chalit in a suspicious manner.”
Yesterday, Pahang State police chief Abdul Jalil Hassan confirmed that 40 police officers and army personnel - with 10 of them armed - were sent to Sungai Chalit durian farms to help maintain order and ensure only those with permit entered the durian farms.
Abdul Jalil said the police did not take action against the villagers and farmers, adding that it is part of the procedure for the police to carry firearms when they are on duty.
"The police, however, left the place after the court issued an injunction," he was quoted as saying by China Press yesterday.
On Dec 23, the Kuantan High Court dismissed an application by 204 Musang King durian farmers for a judicial review against the land eviction notice issued to them by the Pahang state government.
On Jan 5, the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya granted a stay of an injunction for Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) over an eviction notice issued by the state government.
In a statement today, Samka questioned if the police and army are abusing their power and protecting the interest of big corporation by suppressing the farmers.
"We are raising four major doubts over Abdul Jalil's remark," said Samka.
"Why did the police turn up at the scene and help (people from) Royal Pahang Durian (RPD) to enforce the law when it is not the landlord and never owned this piece of land before. Why did the police follow the instructions from a private corporation?"
Samka also questioned why the police did not act against those individuals who came in trucks without road tax and with vehicle number plates covered up, which were clearly traffic offences.
"Why are there about 10 police officers and military personnel sitting inside those cars with guns?" questioned Samka.
"Why didn’t the so-called military and police officers wear name tags or identifications on their uniforms?”
Hence, Samka said the public raised reasonable doubts against the suspicious actions by the police on Tuesday.
“Were the police abusing their power and even illegally protecting the interest of big corporation by suppressing farmers?"
Samka added that 130 farmers have lodged police reports at the Sungai Ruan police station.
“We hope the police will give farmers a sincere and comprehensive answer," said Samka.
When contacted, Abdul Jalil asked Malaysiakini to contact Raub District police chief Kama Azural Mohamed for comment instead.
At press time, Malaysiakini has yet to obtain a comment from Kama. - Mkini
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