PSM activist left with bloodied face in commotion over farmers' eviction

A PSM activist was left with a bloodied face after being allegedly shoved by an officer from the Perak Land and Mines Office (PTG) near a farm in Kanthan, Tambun, this morning.

Chong Yee Shan suffered injuries to her mouth and nose in the incident.

PSM committee member R Karthiges told Malaysiakini that PTG officers had come to the location with bulldozers and excavators to evict six farmers.

A commotion erupted when the farmers and activists present attempted to stop the PTG officials.

“A PTG officer violently shoved Chong until she fell and hurt herself,” claimed Karthiges.

According to Karthiges, a total of 200 farmers are involved in the farming sector in Kanthan, which is considered to be the single largest vegetable-producing region in the state.

He said the six received a notice dated Oct 13 informing them their farms are located on land belonging to the Perak State Development Corporation and were ordered to vacate within a week.

“The farmers agreed to abide by the order and negotiations were held.

“The farmers are asking the (state) government to offer them alternative land since they have worked on the farms for a long time,” he added.

Situation under control

Karthiges, who was still at the site when contacted, said following the commotion, officers from the Tambun MP and Hulu Kinta assemblyperson’s offices arrived at the scene.

“The situation is now under control with the presence of the police and the concerned parties are holding a discussion to resolve the matter,” he added.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is the MP for Tambun whereas the Hulu Kinta assemblyperson is Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad from PKR.

In the run-up to the last general election, the farmers told Malaysiakini they were hoping that the Pakatan Harapan chairperson would end their “nightmare”.

“We are now banking on Anwar to win the Tambun race. We are placing all our hope on Anwar and we only trust him now,” said one of the farmers, Tan Tean Chee.

Meanwhile, FMT quoted Perak PTG director Fariz Hanip saying that the department was looking into the incident.

Based on information he received, Chong was preventing the department’s vehicles from entering the area, which hindered the officers from carrying out their duties, he said.

“I will get the actual picture, but in reality, the officer in question did not intentionally cause any injuries because she (Chong) was blocking vehicles from entering the area,” Fariz reportedly said.