Just months ago, Raub MP Chow Yu Hui was called out for defending the illegal Musang King durian farmers in Pahang, and for asking the public to donate money to the farmers, as they were ordered by the Kuantan High Court to pay RM600,000 to the Pahang government after their application to challenge eviction notices was dismissed.
Now, as Chow continues to show his support for these farmers, another issue has arisen.
A collective of durian farmers, Save Musang King Alliance (SAMKA), took to their Facebook page to condemn Pahang authorities for allegedly burning down farmers’ homes located on an unlicensed durian farm in Raub.
They wrote, “The Save Musang King Alliance (SAMKA) today (September 10) released footage revealing that the Pahang state enforcement unit, responsible for locking down unlicensed durian farms in Raub over the past few months, was witnessed by farmers setting fire to several farmers’ houses yesterday (September 9).”
“SAMKA demands an explanation from the state government’s enforcement unit, questioning whether it is responsible for committing this inhumane act of abuse of power, intended to intimidate farmers.”
They went on to explain that farmers and workers witnessed several 4-wheel drive vehicles entering an unlicensed durian farm in Sungai Klau, Raub, before stopping near the houses used to accommodate workers and store tools.
Not long after, thick smoke rose from the houses and when workers rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire, everything had already been completely burnt down.
“Why treat farmers this way? What have they done wrong? First, they steal durians during the farm raids, causing farmers to lose everything. Now, they’ve gone as far as burning down the farmers’ houses. Why is the state government being so cruel? Are the farmers terrorists?”
“These are farmers who have been cultivating the land for generations, the very people responsible for Musang King’s international success. Instead of celebrating them, the state government chooses to persecute them, which is outrageous,” said SAMKA president, Wilson Chang.
This comes after thousands of people attended a farmers’ assembly on September 7 (Saturday) in Sungai Klau, Raub, in solidarity with the farmers who “can no longer tolerate the enforcement actions”.
“Don’t think that these extreme measures will force farmers into signing unfair contracts with Royal Pahang Durian. Farmers will only become more determined to refuse any collaboration with these consortiums,” Chang added.
SAMKA is hoping that the Pahang state government will initiate a conversation with the farmers to seek a win-win solution for further development.
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
