Musang King durian farmers started cutting down trees in Raub, Pahang in protest against the expropriation of their land.
In a post that recently went viral on the Facebook group, Durian Blowing Water Station, a durian farmer is seen cutting down a large durian tree with a chainsaw.
But it was just one of the hundreds of trees that were cut down as durian farmers became furious at accusations of illegally occupying state-owned land.
The dispute started when the Pahang government “took over” the land used by durian farmer Musang King in Raub.
Not only that, but the government has also imposed levies that prohibit farmers from entering the land.
Chow Yu Hui, a Tras State Assembly Member said gardeners in the area formed an alliance committee known as, Save the Weasel King (SAMKA).
The committee was formed to protest the forced handover of land imposed by Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd.
In fact, in the video uploaded by Sin Chew Daily, Pahang law enforcement officials have started blocking roads so that unlicensed durian farmers cannot enter Raub’s plantation this morning (August 25).
In the video, a policeman is seen announcing that anyone wishing to enter the premises will need a permit issued by Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd. However, the permit would cost these farmers RM1,000 per hectare of land.
According to Edge Markets, farmers are still allowed to sell their produce on the open market at market prices for the remainder of 2020 but they will be required to pay RM6,000 per hectare.
