DURIAN can be a thorny subject. Most people love the taste of this tropical fruit and hate the profiteering.
With the global market for fresh durian valued at US$7.7bil (RM33bil) in 2024, it is obvious that there is a lot of money to be made from the King of Fruits.
Recently, it was claimed that a man was caught transporting over 900kg of durians that had been taken from trees planted in a forest reserve.
It was also claimed that he man was on the way to sell the ill-goten fruits.
Are the claims true?
Verdict:
TRUE
A 48-year-old man was arrested while transporting 919kg of what are believed to be musang king and D24 durians, according to Sinar Harian.
According to the director of the Pahang State Forestry Department, Zainuddin Jamaluddin, preliminary investigations revealed that the fruits came from trees that were illegally planted in Compartment 91 of the Gunung Benum Forest Reserve in Raub.
“The seized durians are grade C and D, and are believed to be for the local market.
"The vehicle and load have been seized for further action under the National Forestry Act 1984 for trespassing on forest reserves," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 29).
It was reported that the durians were worth about RM5,000.
Zainuddin added that the suspect was released on police bail after providing a statement.
"The department’s investigative officers will conduct further investigations before legal action is taken for extracting forest produce (durian) without permission.
"The Gunung Benum Forest Reserve is known to be the location of durian and other fruit trees such as mangosteen, rambutan, petai and kantan, which are planted illegally," he said.
"The department has identified nine main areas that are often the location of illegal agricultural activities in this forest reserve.
"We advise residents who live near forest reserves not to move forest products or carry out any activity without permission, to avoid legal action," he added.
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