Sd Guthrie Defends Eviction Of Selangor Cattle Farmers

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SD Guthrie Berhad has defended its notice ordering the eviction of cattle farmers from all the company's plantations in Selangor.
The government-linked company also refuted an allegation that the notice was issued due to a recent statement by a Selangor state exco member about illegal cattle farming activities in Sabak Bernam.
"The notice issued by SD Guthrie seeks cattle farmers to clear all their livestock that encroach into SD Guthrie premises by Jan 31, and is aimed at preventing road accidents, damage to properties, and safety risks to plantation workers, their families and the communities that live around the plantations.
"This notice was issued following a fatal road accident involving a motorcyclist and a cow on Oct 23 last year, after which the company has held a series of discussions with the state exco member regarding steps that SD Guthrie shall take (to address the problem)," it said in a statement to Malaysiakini today.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that over 50 cattle farmers from plantations around Selangor held a rally where they submitted a memorandum seeking Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari to intervene and stop the eviction.
National Farmers’ Coalition coordinator S Tinagaran alleged that the eviction notices emerged after the statement by State Rural Development, Unity, and Consumer Affairs executive councillor Rizam Ismail last month concerning illegal cattle farming activities on SD Guthrie plantations in Sabak Bernam.
He said 173 farmers had received the notices so far.
‘Safety reasons’
According to the company, there should be no issue with Rizam's statement because SD Guthrie made the decision for safety reasons.
It said the cattle farmers were also well aware that their livestock were encroaching on the company's private land areas.
"SD Guthrie has sent them similar requests several times before.
"The company has conducted over 46 meetings and discussions with cattle farmers in the peninsula to get their cooperation regarding their cattle.
"These include meetings that were joined by police and local authorities to explain that encroachment is an offence and that they can face legal actions," SD Guthrie said.
Adding further, the company said the cattle did not only risk accidents like what happened in October but have also created other problems, including damages to office and housing premises in their plantations, besides destroying palm trees. - Mkini

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