Pahang MCA forms committee to tackle issues faced by farmers in the state

KUALA LUMPUR: A committee has been formed to tackle various issues faced by farmers in Pahang including the Raub durian farmers group, says state MCA.

Its chairman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said the Pahang MCA executive committee convened an emergency meeting in view of the various issues plaguing farmers in the state involving agricultural produce such as vegetables and flowers in Cameron Highlands, Bentong ginger, bird's nest, as well as the most recent - reclamation of land used by Raub durian farmers.

"The meeting has resolved to establish the Safeguard the Rights of Pahang Farmers Committee, in order to tackle such issues effectively and comprehensively," he said in a statement.

Present at the meeting were party secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, who is also the Kuantan division chairman, Cheka assemblyman Lee Ah Wong, Pahang MCA state liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Seri Chow Liong and Raub MCA division chairman Tan Sri Lam Kam Sang, among others.

"We felt that the Pahang state government would have better success in resolving disputes if better communication had been established between stakeholders through other means.

"In view of the continued escalation of this recent issue, we have decided to form this body to more efficiently negotiate with the Pahang state government to formulate a more well-rounded solution," said Hoh.

On Friday (Aug 28), the Kuantan High Court granted a stay on enforcement of action against the illegal durian farms in Raub.

Lawyer Siew Choon Jern, who represented 111 durian planters, said they have filed an application for a judicial review on the decision to lease the plantation land to a joint venture company and to evict the planters.

The group, known as the Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) and composed of the durian farmers without permits, had planned to take out an injunction to stop any attempt to seize their farms.

The Pahang state government has announced that the land would be leased to the company to purportedly legalise it.

The Royal Pahang Durian Produce-PKPP Sdn Bhd (RPDP-PKPP) is a joint venture between the Pahang royalty-linked RPD Group and state entity Perbadanan Kemajuan Pertanian Negeri Pahang (PKPP), with the company reportedly aiming to build and operate the country’s first durian processing centre in Raub next year.