FIVE men, including Musang King orchard operators and workers from local durian processing facilities, have been arrested by the Pahang branch of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly profiting from illegal durian cultivation on forest reserves and state land.
According to a source familiar with the investigation, the suspects, aged between 40 and 60, were taken into custody between 12 noon and 3pm on Monday after presenting themselves at the MACC Raub office to provide statements.
The men are believed to have engaged in money laundering activities related to the illicit cultivation, including acquiring, receiving, transferring and using proceeds gained from the operation of unauthorised orchards.
“Initial investigations indicate the suspects carried out these activities separately between 2024 and this year, generating profits of up to several hundred thousand ringgit,” the source said.
The source added that four of the five individuals are orchard operators who had declined to participate in the state’s legalisation programme, despite having been involved in the business for generations.
All five suspects have been remanded for four days until 3 October, following an order by Magistrate Mohd Fauzan Mohd Suhairi at the Raub Magistrate’s Court.
When contacted, Pahang MACC director Mohd Shukor Mahmud confirmed the arrests and said the case is being investigated under Section 41(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA).
He did not rule out the possibility of further arrests as investigations continue.
The arrests follow a joint enforcement operation under *Ops Sekat*, launched by the Pahang state government on 25 April. Between 2 and 19 September, Pahang MACC and the State Enforcement Unit (UPNP) identified 33 illegal durian orchards operating on forest reserves and state land.
The cultivation of Musang King durians—one of Malaysia’s most lucrative agricultural exports—has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years, particularly in relation to environmental degradation and unlawful land use. - September 30, 2025
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