KUALA LUMPUR – The durian farmers who were detained by the police on Sunday following a scuffle with Pahang Forestry Department officials have been released this morning.
Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) told the media via WhatsApp that the 18 farmers were released on condition that they would be fined RM10,000 should they fail to present themselves at court or the police station.
The alliance stated that DAP legal bureau chairman Ramkarpal Singh had rendered legal aid to the farmers at the Raub district police headquarters this morning.
“As far as we are concerned, the matter can be investigated without detaining them.
“They have cooperated with the authorities, and there’s no reason for the remand to continue,” Ramkarpal said.
However, Ramkarpal stopped short of commenting when asked on whether the arrests were deemed illegal.
According to a video posted by Samka, the farmers were held under Section 47 of the National Forestry Act 1984, which carries a maximum of three years’ jail time or a fine up to RM10,000.
Bilut assemblyman Lee Chin Chen, who was also present, said he was informed by certain family members of the detained durian farmers that they were given little food and water in their jail cells.
Meanwhile, Tras assemblyman Chow Yu Hui took the Pahang government to task, claiming that they are manipulating the laws.
“The farmers have the right to enter the premises, but the state government would not allow them to do so.
“This proves that they have exploited the laws, and the state government is a gangster government.
“We won’t give up,” Chow said.
Samka president and detainee Wilson Chang also took the opportunity to explain the incident that led to his arrest.
Wilson insisted that he was at a durian estate when he was arrested and not the forest reserve, despite claims by enforcement authorities of encroachment.
“The remand was unreasonable and shouldn’t have happened.
“We will continue this battle and hope all Malaysians can see the situation clearly,” he said.
He clarified that he was remanded under orders of the Peninsular Malaysia Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) instead of the police.
Despite police providing food and water during their detention, Wilson added they were unable to sleep as they were worried about their predicament.
Over the weekend, the group alleged that enforcement authorities had set up blockades at the entrances and exits of their durian farms in Tras.
Ten vehicles from the Forestry Department and a Federal Reserve Unit escort are involved in the roadblocks, preventing the farmers from collecting produce at their farms.
Samka said in an earlier statement that police claimed that they were following instructions from higher-ups.
The Court of Appeal had earlier this year granted a stay of execution against any enforcement or eviction towards 204 durian growers in Raub, Pahang, but that was not enough to prevent police from setting up roadblocks at their farms.
Based on the press statement, it is understood that these blockades are implemented in the entire Tras district, and involves six major durian farms – Sg Chalit, Sg Chetang, Sg Klau, Sg Ruan, Tras, and Sang Lee.
Last year, 204 durian farmers challenged eviction notices at the Kuantan High Court via a judicial review, but their applications were dismissed on December 23.
They challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal, and were granted a stay of execution on January 5.
The court order specifically stated that the authorities are not allowed to evict or prevent the applicants from entering their farms.
A General Operations Force unit has been sent to the area to “ensure public safety”, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani told Bernama earlier today. – The Vibes, July 6, 2021
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