RAUB: Durian farmers here want answers on a proposed joint venture which could largely decide the future of the country's most popular durian variety, the Musang King.
Sungai Klau special action committee chairman Wilson Chan said some durian farmers were called for a meeting with Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd representatives last year, but nothing materialised.
"The first meeting was in July, followed by the second meeting in August before the farmers decided to set up an action committee to look into the matter. We asked the company why no one from the state government or land office informed us of the decision (land legalisation).
"The company claimed that the land belonged to them and wanted us to sell the fruits to them but they could not produce any proof or land grant. All the farmers did not agree to the proposal as no one from the state government spoke to us about it and what our land status is if we agree to sign the deal," he said when met in Sungai Ruan.
Chan said since there was nothing in black and white, most of the farmers were sceptical about the deal or how it was going to be executed.
"Suddenly, last week we read in the newspapers that the state government has given farmers one month to sort out matters about the contract with Royal Pahang... who are we supposed to consult or register? "
He adds that a dialogue between the various stakeholders could shed light on the matter.
"Farmers are prepared to meet the state government or PKPP on the matter, but in this deal, a private company is set to gain. We need to clarify a lot of matters including who is going to be responsible for the losses if the export chain is affected... for example, by a sudden cut in demand from China."
Farmers are also mulling an injunction to prevent the land takeover by Royal Pahang Durian Resources PKPP Sdn Bhd. They also want the state government to extend the deadline.
Tras state assemblyman Chow Yu Hui said the initiatives would help safeguard the interest of the farmers, who are concerned that they might lose their livelihood once the new company takes over.
"We plan to meet Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail) to ask him to extend the deadline for the farmers. Then we plant to apply for an injunction to block the company from stepping in or taking over the land, and I will raise the issue in the next state assembly sitting."
Chow added that the farmers wanted to discuss with the state government and were willing to cooperate and listen to the state government, but not with a private company.