DAP should not act as 'bridge' in Raub land encroachment issue – Bersatu

Summary

• Bersatu leaders urge all parties, especially DAP, to respect Sultan Abdullah’s firm stance against land encroachment.

• Pahang Bersatu criticises DAP’s attempt to mediate between illegal farmers and the state government, calling it inappropriate and an act that undermines royal authority.

Pahang Bersatu chief Abdul Khalib Abdullah has criticised the state DAP's move to act as an intermediary between illegal durian farmers in Raub and the state government, calling it inappropriate.

He urged all parties not to prolong the issue, especially since Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has already stated his stance on the land dispute.

“They should show respect to His Highness the sultan of Pahang in this matter, as it is clear that these farmers illegally encroached upon state land.

“The conduct of Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, who seems to want to play the hero in this issue, is also unacceptable,” he said when met after the Pahang Bersatu Hari Raya Open House in Temerloh last night.

Also in attendance were Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, and leaders from both parties.

Yesterday, Pahang DAP released a statement expressing their willingness to act as a “bridge” between the farmers and the Pahang government regarding the land dispute over Musang King durian orchards in the Raub area.

On April 8, the Pahang State Enforcement Unit carried out an operation to cut down durian trees that had been illegally planted in Sungai Klau.

Following the operation, the farmers, along with the Raub MP, staged a protest.

Police later arrested Chow and Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) chairperson Wilson Chang on April 14 for allegedly obstructing public officials from carrying out their duties.

Both were released after being held for around 20 hours for questioning.

Last Friday, during the opening ceremony of the state assembly, Sultan Abdullah decreed that the land encroachment issue must be resolved once and for all.

His Highness stated that illegal land clearing and encroachment had been occurring for nearly four decades without his knowledge.

Awkward coming from Umno

Khalib also questioned a Pahang Umno leader’s move to suggest that Chow’s actions in the matter were in his personal capacity, and did not reflect DAP’s stance.

“This is what puzzled me and my colleagues in Pahang Bersatu, when an Umno leader could say that Chow acted personally, and not on behalf of DAP.

“If someone like (DAP secretary-general) Anthony Loke made that statement, we wouldn’t find it odd. But coming from an Umno leader, it seems rather awkward,” he said.

Khalib, however, did not name the Umno leader involved.

No negotiation

Maran MP Ismail Abdul Mutalib also weighed in on the matter, saying that the attitude of Pahang DAP leaders in continuing to defend the illegal farmers suggested that they were disregarding Sultan Abdullah’s decree.

“This matter should be clear… you’ve trespassed onto government land, so you are in the wrong and there is no need for negotiation, just vacate the land.

“There should be no space for negotiations, because no matter the reason, you have committed an offence… entering land without permission and then attempting to portray yourself as a victim in the matter,” he added.

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