KUANTAN: Raub member of parliament Chow Yu Hui is among 20 individuals called up by the police to have their statements recorded for allegedly obstructing enforcement officers from discharging their duties in an operation at Sungai Ruan, Raub, on April 30.
Chow confirmed that he had been summoned but has yet to provide his statement.
"I have been called by the police but I am currently outstation and will go to the police station next week. Today, eight farmers have provided their statements," he said.
Earlier, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said 20 individuals would be called up for questioning for allegedly obstructing a Pahang enforcement unit (UPNP) team from discharging their duties at the durian plantation on April 30.
He said those called-in for questioning included an elected representative and durian farmers, who gathered on the main road when "Ops Sekat" was being carried out against illegal Musang King farming in the Gunung Benom forest reserve.
"The operation was led by the UPNP and Forestry Department, along with other state agencies, and the group of individuals had prevented the enforcement team from carrying out their duties. A Forestry Department officer had lodged a police report.
"Police are in the midst of questioning the individuals before we conclude investigations and submit the papers to the deputy public prosecutor's office for further action. So far, no arrests have been made," he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code.
Yahaya said the incident unfolded after two individuals – a 66-year-old woman farmer and her Indonesian worker – were detained by the UPNP team for land encroachment on April 30.
He said a group of men had allegedly attempted to prevent the enforcement team from leaving the area with the woman and her worker.
On that day, Chow was reported as saying that the duo had been taken to the district police station before being released on police bail.
They were investigated under Section 47(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984 for entering the forest reserve without permit, licence or permission.
Yahaya said three others, including two locals and a Myanmar national, were detained for encroaching on government land at a durian farm in Sungai Ruan yesterday (May 2).
He denied claims that Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) officers were deployed during the operation, saying only eight Light Strike Force (LSF) officers were among the 119 officers at the scene.
"Personnel from various agencies were present, including the General Operations Force, Raub district and land office, UPNP, Forestry Department and police. But there were no FRU personnel in the operation.
"The LSF were there to maintain security after we received reports that some individuals were attempting to block the main road and prevent the enforcement team from leaving the area," he said.
Yahaya reminded all quarters to respect the law and cooperate with the authorities during enforcement operations, and not to take advantage of certain situations to stir up 3R issues (race, religion and royalty).