Malaysia’s government faced backlash after removing 1,000 durian trees in April, leading to demonstrations, worries about farmers’ property rights, and initiating a probe into potential corruption.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why were the trees cut down?
The land conflict in Pahang’s Raub town started on April 8 when the authorities cut down approximately 200 durian trees they claimed were cultivated illegally. In just a few days,
1,000 trees were felled.
The Malaysian authorities stated that the trees had been planted on state-owned land without proper permission, leading to their removal as part of an effort to regain control of the area.
Pahang authorities denied violating any court order, stating that the farmers’ legal applications to maintain the orchards were dismissed by an appeal court in May 2024.
How did farmers respond?
Farmers, represented by non-government organization Save Musang King Alliance, protested the enforcement.
Local media reports suggested that residents obstructed officials from entering the farms using banners as a means to safeguard the durian trees.
The Save Musang King Alliance stated that a court ruling in May of the previous year prevented the government from destroying the farms.
“Recently, the farmers’ legal representatives dispatched an official correspondence to the Pahang state government, urging them to immediately cease deforestation activities to avoid additional harm to the fruit plantations,” stated Chow Yu Hui, who serves as both the chairperson of the coalition and a member of parliament, back in early April.
What was the worth of the trees?
A significant number of the felled durian trees belonged to the Musang King variety, a premium type renowned for its distinctive taste and consequently steep market value.
Musang King durians can fetch prices as high as $15 per kilogram, positioning them within the premium segment when compared to other types like Vietnam’s Ri6 and Thailand’s Monthong.
The Royal Pahang Durian Group, which possesses the lease for the contested area in Pahang, has proposed leasing this land to farmers under the condition that they commit to selling their produce back to them at $9.50 per kilogram—a rate 30% below current market value.
Several farmers asserted that they had been cultivating the land since as early as 1974, with some of their trees reaching an age of about four decades. However, the government maintained that it discovered trees that were merely eight or nine years old, suggesting more recent occupation.
Are officials under investigation?
Certainly. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating whether present or past officials were involved in the land controversy.
“Indeed, we possess an existing list. Given that this case occurred roughly 10 years ago or longer, several of the officials implicated have subsequently retired,” stated Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki according to reports from state media.
Bernama
.
No arrests have been made yet concerning any former officials.
What role do durian trees play in Malaysia’s economy?
Among Malaysia’s top fruit exports to China is the durian. Last year, the country exported $212 million worth of fresh durian to China, following a bilateral agreement reached in August.
The Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China anticipates
Malaysian Durian Exports to China
To increase by 15-20% this year, fueled by higher consumer preference for the Musang King variant, capable of competing with premium fruits like Japanese strawberries and grapes.
Even though attempts have been made to cultivate Musang King durians in China, the chamber’s chairperson Loh Wee Keng stated that these endeavors did not meet the quality benchmarks set in Malaysia.
He stated that Hainan Musang King cannot substitute for the genuine Malaysian one.
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