Malaysia takes action against illegal durian farms in Pahang

Authorities in Malaysia’s Pahang state have launched a large-scale crackdown on illegal durian farms. Since April, more than 10,000 hectares of forest reserve land in Raub have been sealed off, and 129 people arrested for encroaching on state land. Some offenders have already received jail terms of up to 12 months and fines reaching RM200,000 (US$47,400).

The campaign, called Ops Sekat, is now in its fourth phase. Roads leading to hidden orchards have been blocked and over 100 hectares of durian trees have been cleared. Pahang’s chief minister Wan Rosdy stressed that farming on state land without approval is a crime and vowed enforcement will continue until the problem is resolved.

Raub, often called Malaysia’s “Musang King Durian Town,” has seen widespread illegal farming for decades. Earlier raids cutting down more than 1,000 trees triggered protests, but officials argue the encroachment cannot be ignored. Even the Sultan of Pahang has condemned the issue.

Despite the controversy, durian remains a fast-growing export for Malaysia, with overseas sales jumping more than 250% between 2018 and 2022, and expected to hit RM1.5 billion this year.

source: e.vnexpress.net

photo: propertyguru.com.my