Petronas Sarawak Govt Should Learn From Musang King Farmers Issue Zaid

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Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has urged the federal government to intervene in the dispute involving Musang King durian farmers in Raub and the Pahang state government.
He also urged Putrajaya to do the same in the tussle involving Petronas and the Sarawak government.
“Why is the federal government just sitting by idly and not trying to resolve the dispute?
“This is a matter of significant public interest where they should intervene to protect the interests of the durian industry, farmers and, of course, the royal resources,” Zaid (above) said on X.
The Save Musang King Alliance (Samka) held a rally last Saturday, calling for a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to resolve the dispute.
The farmers’ problems began in 2020, when the Pahang state government formed a joint venture with a private company, Royal Pahang Durian Resources (RPDR), to regulate durian farming in the area.
However, the joint venture is alleged to disproportionately benefit the consortium.
Save Musang King Alliance rally on Sept 7Samka claims that since the Kuantan High Court dismissed the durian farmers’ judicial review application on April 24, they have faced difficulties, with frequent pressures and disruptions from the state government, consortiums and enforcement agencies.
Sharing his views on the durian farmers’ conundrum, Zaid said they could not have been able to work on the land for years without some understanding with the local authorities.
“If we go by the book, the durian farmers in Raub probably trespassed on the state lands and had no licence or equitable interests.
“But they would not have been able to plant the Musang King for years if the land office had not acquiesced in planting the durians or given waivers of some kind,” he claimed.
‘The Malaysian way’
Zaid then threw shade on how things sometimes work in the country, calling it “the Malaysian way”.
“We all have experience dealing with authorities the Malaysian way. We apply first for whatever we want (in this case, a lease from the state), then proceed to plant the durians while waiting for a reply.
“No replies were forthcoming for years. Then, one day, the court orders to stop the activities,” he said.
Musang King durianOffering solutions, Zaid suggested that the government acquire the lands in question and get the farmers and its new owners to agree on the best way forward.
“Put forward a sensible proposal that’s fair to everyone.
“It is a win-win situation, including for the federal government, which will collect lots of taxes from the sale of durians to China.”
‘Learn from durian farmers’ issue’
Separately, Zaid urged Sarawak and Petronas to learn something from the durian farmers’ issue and resolve the deadlock involving oil extraction from the territory.
“I hope Petronas and Sarawak will learn from the durian dispute in Raub and try to negotiate the impasse about oil extraction, which is the only sensible way.
“Petronas’ claim of exclusive rights to oil and gas extraction must be viewed in the context of Sarawak’s laws when it joined Malaysia,” he stressed.
The former minister then said disputing parties should use the courts as a last resort to resolve problems, adding that lawyers may not be the best armour when a peaceful settlement is required.
“Otherwise, the country loses not just Musang King but oil revenue, which we desperately need to keep us afloat,” Zaid said.
Three days ago, Channel News Asia reported that Petronas is mulling legal action to preserve its monopoly as the sole guardian of the country’s natural resources.
This comes after Sarawak sought greater control of the trading and extraction of gas and other oil-related products in the state.
Government officials close to the situation told CNA that Petronas is considering filing a court injunction in the coming days to head off any confrontation between Anwar’s administration and the Sarawak state government. - Mkini

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