Refute 'Save Musang King Coalition' Allegations: Pahang Government Claims No Violation of Court Order in Durian Tree Felling

The Pahang state government denies the allegations made by the 'Save Musang King Coalition' (SAMKA), stating that the state's recent felling of approximately 200 Musang King durian trees in Raub, Sungai Chalit, did not violate any court order.

Datuk Seri Saif Al-Idris, legal advisor for the state of Pahang, told Bernama that the enforcement action carried out by the state government in conjunction with the Forestry Department, Land Department, and police was not constrained by any court order.

"The allegations that the state government violated a court order are completely untrue. Their application for judicial review of the eviction order was dismissed by the Kuantan High Court, and the Court of Appeal also rejected the stay application."

"The Court of Appeal, in its decision on July 19, 2024, clearly stated that farmers should apply for a stay order from the High Court under Section 43 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 after their judicial review request was denied. However, they bypassed due processes and directly sought a stay from the Court of Appeal, which was rejected."

Saif Al-Idris emphasized that the ruling confirms the land in question belongs to the state government, which has the right to take action against illegal occupants.

"Those who occupy state land without permission do not enjoy any land rights, and the state government is fully prepared to face any lawsuits they might bring."

Action Party Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, also an advisor to the ‘Save Musang King Coalition’, revealed on Tuesday (8th) that the Pahang enforcement unit, together with the Forestry Department and the Land Department, in the company of the police, carried out an enforcement action in Raub, Sungai Chalit, felling about 200 durian trees, devastating the farmers’ hard work.

He presented a court order issued by the Court of Appeal on May 24 last year, which clearly stated that during the appeal process, no party should damage any structures or fell any durian trees in the landless durian orchards in the Raub area. The state government’s enforcement action of tree felling constitutes a serious violation of the court order, enough to amount to contempt of court. Therefore, they will initiate legal procedures to hold the state government accountable, seek compensation for losses, and firmly defend the rule of law.

Meanwhile, from April 8, Raub police also launched "Operation Block 3.0" in the Raub Sungai Lan forest reserve and state government land, which would continue until May 3 to combat illegal land encroachment activities in Raub.

Saari Abdul Rahman, the Raub police district chief, stated in a press release that this operation is expected to cover all unauthorized cultivated areas within Raub district. It involves 10 officers and 137 personnel.

Various agencies are participating in this operation, including the Pahang state government enforcement unit (UPNP), Raub Land Department, Pahang Forestry Department, the General Operations Force, and Raub district police.