Army not involved in chopping down Musang King trees in Raub, say cops

 

Personnel from Pahang’s enforcement unit, the police, forestry department, and land office entered the orchard in Raub on Tuesday to chop down the Musang King durian trees. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Pahang police have denied that the armed forces were involved in the enforcement operation to clear illegally planted Musang King durian trees at a farm in Raub.

Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman said such claims were circulating on social media and that there was no directive from the state government for the military’s involvement in the operation.

He said they had received three reports regarding the operation itself, lodged by an officer from the Pahang state enforcement unit, the police and an NGO.

“We have opened an investigation paper under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties,” he told Bernama today.

Earlier, a video lasting about 25 seconds went viral, showing several military vehicles moving through an area allegedly to assist in the operation.

Media reports stated that farmers had reportedly blocked access routes and displayed banners to express their dissatisfaction after enforcement personnel destroyed their decades-old crops.

However, the situation was brought under control without any untoward incidents.

Previously, the Pahang government also denied violating a court order when it felled about 200 Musang King durian trees during the enforcement operation at Sungai Klau in Raub last Tuesday.

Pahang legal adviser Saiful Edris Zainuddin said the land belonged to the state and they decided to chop down the trees to tackle encroachment.- FMT