Farmers in Kuala Kuang, Perak, have lodged another police report today alleging that a housing developer had encroached on their land and levelled two of their farms.

One of the farmers, Khong Mee Long, who made a police report against developer Fair Factor Sdn Bhd at the Kuala Kuang police station this afternoon, told malaysiakini that the developer had encroached on his farm.

Khong who cultivates sugar-cane and freshwater fish on his seven-acre farmland claimed that the developer has also encroached on a four-acre guava farm cultivated by another farmer, Tan Peng Won.

Last Sunday, the farmers made a police report after they heard a rumour that the developer will destroy their farms with the assistance of the Federal Reserve Unit at about 8am this morning.

At about 9.30 this morning, Fair Factor staff minus the FRU, showed up at one of the farms in Gunung Pari in Kuala Kuang.

Khong said they were told that one of the farmers had agreed to take up Fair Factor's offer, giving the developer the right to move into that farm.

On Jan 18, Fair Factor had offered the farmers two options — a compensation ranging from RM2,000 to RM8,000 according to their land size, or a housing lot with unspecified premium. The farmers were given seven days to reply to the offer.

The farmers had, however, asked for a two-week extension to decide. They also asked for the quantum for the lot's premium.

Broken promise

Khong added that this morning, Fair Factor managing director Mohd Dzulkifli Harun, accompanied by a senior government land official, promised the farmers that they will not encroach on the other farms.

However, at about 12.15pm today, Khong discovered that the developer had damaged his farm.

"The developer broke his promise and encroached on the other plots as well," Khong said, adding that the gate and fences to his farm were destroyed by the developer.

He also claimed that Fair Factor project manager, Wayne Chew, refused to stop work when confronted by the farmers.

"The manager said that if we are not satisfied we can report the matter to the police," Khong said.

When contacted, Chew refused to comment beyond saying, "If you think they (the farmers) are right, then you write whatever you want. My boss didn't instruct me to say anything. I don't want to say anything."

However, Khong said the developer eventually stopped work after a police officer by the name of Sergeant Tan arrived at the farm.

But the police officer told the farmers that he was not empowered to handle the land dispute and advised the farmers to lodge a police report regarding the damages incurred.

About seven of the 16 farmers in Gunung Pari affected by the housing scheme development project met Perak Menteri Besar Tajol Rosli at his residence at about 10.30pm yesterday.

The farmers said the Menteri Besar had assured them that their farms will not be destroyed until the matter regarding compensation is resolved.