Land cleared by Pahang state authorities as part of operations against unlicensed durian farmers should be given to youths in the area, said PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
The Pahang state assembly opposition leader said such an initiative would ensure the land's continued development and prevent it from being abandoned.
"I would like to congratulate enforcement (agencies) which have taken action (to clear the land), but what matters now is the next step - what are you going to do after the trees have all been cut?
"We suggest that the state government utilise the Youth Land Scheme (and allow) the land to be developed by youths who are just starting to build their families," Tuan Ibrahim told reporters after speaking at a Perikatan Nasional ceramah for the Ayer Kuning by-election.
The Cheka assemblyperson added that all actions by the state government must be accompanied by a mission capable of generating economic growth in the area.
On April 10, durian farmers in Sungai Klau, Raub and Pahang State Enforcement Unit personnel clashed while the latter was clearing Musang King trees on disputed land.
The incident occurred between a group of durian farmers led by Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) adviser Chow Yu Hui, who is also the Raub MP, to prevent authorities from cutting down Musang King trees in the area.
Following the scuffle, Chow and Samka chairperson Wilson Chang were arrested yesterday under Section 186 of the Penal Code for allegedly obstructing public servants from performing their duties.
Undertaking duties
Commenting on the arrests, Tuan Ibrahim said police are merely executing their duties based on established laws.
"In fact, it is an offence if anyone obstructs a public servant (who is) carrying out (enforcement) actions.
"I'm sure that the police will act fairly," he added.
Earlier, a group of durian farmers involved in a land dispute with the Pahang government claimed that the latter had violated a court order by cutting down about 200 Musang King trees.
In response, the Pahang government denied any violations, with the state's legal adviser Saiful Edris Zainuddin claiming that since the trees were on illegally occupied land, they were not protected by the court order.
Legalisation
The Pahang government is implementing what it deems as a “legalisation scheme” for durian farmers who are illegally occupying land in the state, which entails leasing the occupied land to Royal Pahang Durian Resources-PKPP Sdn Bhd.
In April last year, 204 Raub durian farmers sought a judicial review of the legalisation scheme, but the Kuantan High Court rejected their leave applications, leading them to appeal to the appellate court.
In September last year, Samka accused authorities of burning and destroying structures used to house the farms’ workers and equipment.
Then state secretary Zulkifli Yaacob dismissed the allegation as baseless. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.