Sin Chew Daily

The issue of illegal durian farming in Raub, Pahang, actually reflects the longstanding problem of lack of farm lands among vegetable, fruit and flower farmers in the country. The same has also highlighted the deficiencies in the government's agriculture and land policy.

This time, the durian farmers in Raub have been accused of illegally occupying some 11,000 acres of government land, causing the Pahang state government to suffer up to RM30 million in land tax revenue over the past ten years.

The state government even alleges that these farmers have not obtained the MyGAP (Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices) certification for their products while also violating many existing laws and export agreements in a way that has undermined the country's durian production industry.

Additionally, illegal farming activities have also jeopardized the natural environment, in particular forest reserves and water catchment areas.

We cannot deny that the Pahang government indeed has the right and obligation to protect forest reserve lands in the state and to demand that fruit farmers comply with the various rules and regulations, failure of which they could be prosecuted and their lands confiscated.

Even with valid reasons, the state government should also take into account why these farmers started growing durians on government lands in the very beginning. In other words, the government has never had an amicable communication with the farmers over the long-term development policy of durian growing industry since day one, allowing the confrontational standoff to take shape today.

The state government has instead opted to cooperate with a company and force the durian farmers into submission with unfair terms by unwillingly surrendering their lands and crops. This shows that the state government lacks sincerity in resolving the problem. The farmers are accused of not cooperating with the government by forming a union to fight for their own rights.

Why can't the state government put itself in the shoes of the farmers and try to negotiate candidly with them instead of bringing in a powerful company? By doing so, it gives people the impression that the state government is not doing things in a transparent manner and is trying to squeeze the profits out of the powerless farmers.

Under public pressure the state government has eventually suspended the raid operation and says it is looking for other solutions. While this provides a momentary respite for the farmers, the damage has already been done and mutual trust is suffering a further blow.

It is inappropriate for Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd to repeatedly defend its actions. As the state government has from the beginning encouraged the planting and export of durians, it should have put in place proper land planning and set aside specific areas for durian growers to apply for permits while offering due incentives to comprehensively develop the durian industry in the state.

The problems of durian prices, export procedures and land sustainability would have been put under control had the government drawn up a comprehensive policy and implemented it gradually, so that the farmers can have their harvests and the state government gets the tax incomes. All the allegations and dilemmas we see today would not have happened at all!

Owing to poor government policy, intervention of the company, coupled with stereotyped and preconceived public impressions, mishandling of the Musang King incident today could very well spark a confidence crisis towards the government.

The incident may just be the tip of the iceberg in the state government's flawed land and agricultural policy. Similar unresolved problems exist in all other states in the county, and it is hoped that departments and individuals involved will draw a lesson from the Raub incident.