KUANTAN: The ongoing enforcement operations against illegal plantations at the Batu Talam permanent forest reserve in Raub did not violate any law or breach the Court of Appeal's orders.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the operation, which began on Saturday (July 3), was carried out after consultartion with the state legal adviser's office.
"The legal adviser's office was consulted on the operation and the area where the enforcement was conducted. The office had referred the matter to the Court of Appeal.
"The enforcement operation has not done against court orders and the area is outside the durian farms which is supposed to be owned by the Royal Pahang Durian Resources-PKPP Sdn Bhd," he said in a statement today.
Wan Rosdy said despite it being a routine enforcement operation at the permanent reserve, some quarters had hurled abusive words towards officers and personnel on duty at the site, and were against the operation.
Meanwhile, he said the operation which involved the illegal farms including Musang King orchards at the permanent reserve forest will end on Aug 2.
"The one-month long operation involving the State Forestry department, State Enforcement Unit and cooperation from the police will cover an area estimated about 101ha.
"Individuals or farmers caught trespassing will be arrested and vehicles found within the operation site will be seized. To date, 22 people have been arrested for investigations under the National Forestry Act 1984," he said.
Wan Rosdy said the ongoing operation was similar to the ones conducted by the enforcement agencies at Sungai Ichat and Lembah Bertam in Cameron Highlands (vegetable farming) and Kechau in Lipis (gold mining), and hopes it would not be turned into a racial issue.
On July 3, the enforcement operation had irked durian farmers who were prevented from entering the farms to collect the fruits. The Court of Appeal had previously allowed them to enter pending a full appeal in the appellate court.
Some quarters had alleged that the enforcement operations were conducted on durian farms which had cases pending in court.