Raub Farmers Seek Justice from PM over Stolen Durian and Unfair Contract

At Dataran Pasar Sungai Klau, The Save Musang King Alliance (SAMKA) orchestrated a rally to highlight the pressing challenges faced by Raub’s durian farmers. Their gathering wasn't just a plea for help; it was a call to action for authorities to lease land to these local farmers who have been cultivating the popular Musang King durian for decades.

Back in 2020, the Pahang state government formed a joint venture with a private company, Royal Pahang Durian Resources (RPDR), to regulate durian farming in the area. However, the joint venture is alleged to disproportionately benefit the consortium.

SAMKA claims that since the High Court of Kuantan dismissed the judicial review application of the Musang King durian farmers on April 24, farmers in Raub have faced difficulties, with frequent pressures and disruptions from the state government, consortiums and enforcement agencies.

Seeking a meeting with the PM

Durian farmers in Raub, Pahang, are seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to address claims of oppression by the Pahang government.In a statement, SAMKA highlighted that over a thousand farmers have been impacted, and it is crucial to arrange a meeting with the prime minister.

Raub MP Chow Yu Hui said that these farmers' livelihoods have been severely affected, and a meeting with the prime minister and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu is essential to address their plight. He also noted that Anwar, before becoming prime minister, had previously met with SAMKA, offering some positive input.

Chow emphasised that these farmers are not trespassing, as the Green Book Plan (Rancangan Buku Hijau) had encouraged them to cultivate the land. Despite their long-standing efforts to obtain land titles and secure equitable leases from the state government, they have yet to achieve success, he noted.

"I will continue to advocate for the rights of Raub farmers, both now and in the future. I will speak on their behalf in Parliament, fulfilling my responsibility as an MP to defend their rights,” Chow added.

Liew, a durian farmer from Raub, said that the farmers are willing to pay fair land taxes and support environmental conservation, but entering into contracts with consortiums would not be beneficial for them. Ultimately, they would struggle to meet the consortiums' demands and face unfair treatment, especially if durian prices fall.

Raub durian farmers stage peaceful rally for fair land leases and trading rights

The farmers held a peaceful two-hour rally, protesting for their rights without any incidents. The event, called Perhimpunan Besar Pekebun 907, featured speeches from over five speakers, including SAMKA president Wilson Chang and former Tanah Rata state assemblyman Chiong Yoke Kong.

Wilson Chang stated that the farmers’ demands are straightforward. “They do not wish to fight the government, but the unfair contracts are unacceptable. The farmers ask to be treated as equal partners, allowing them to trade durians freely,” Chang said.

He also highlighted that ever since the durian farms were locked down, many durians were stolen by unidentified individuals. He expressed his dissatisfaction, for not only the farms have been seized, but the fruits of labour are also exploited.

He pointed out that the problem of unlicensed farms extends beyond Raub, impacting farmers throughout Malaysia, including those growing vegetables in Perak and Cameron Highlands, as well as ginger farmers in Bukit Tinggi. He added that these farmlands have long been unstable and that the government has failed to consider local economic development or the interests of the farmers.

Former Tanah Rata state assemblyman Chiong Yoke Kong expressed that although farmers face difficulties, the state government and consortiums should not assume that pressuring farmers into signing contracts will lead to huge profits for themselves. On the contrary, such actions will ultimately prove to be a loss rather than a gain. Even though they won the lawsuits against the farmers, the farmers would never cultivate durians for the consortiums to make exorbitant profits. Given that the consortiums have no knowledge in maintaining durian farms, those farms will become deserted in a few years.

Police from the Raub district were on site, but no incidents were reported during the rally.

Four Key Requests from Farmers

1) Collaboration as Equal Partners: The government should promptly approve the establishment of cooperatives by farmers and collaborate with them based on the principles of equal partnership and mutual agreement.

2) Free Trade: The price of durians should be determined by market demand.

3) Reasonable Land Taxes: Farmers are willing to pay higher land taxes for durian land in order to obtain leases from the government.

4) Environmental Conservation: Farmers are willing to share the costs of environmental conservation.

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