Deep in the hills of Sungai Klau, Raub, Pahang, durian trees planted by 'unlicensed' farmers on state-owned land were recently chopped down by state authorities as part of a crackdown. This action has fueled long-standing tensions over Malaysia's prized durians and illegal orchards, sparking royal outrage. The ruler of Pahang, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, expressed his anger at the encroachment on state land during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri event in April, stating that it 'makes my blood boil'.

The enforcement operation against illegal durian farms in Raub involved the felling of about 1,000 trees, many of which were the highly sought-after Musang King variety. These orchards, planted by predominantly Chinese Malaysian farmers, were razed by enforcement officers armed with chainsaws, leaving the durian community in shock.

The dispute between durian farmers and authorities has escalated, with the arrest of Raub MP Chow Yu Hui for obstructing enforcement officers. Chow, along with Wilson Chang from the Save Musang King Alliance (Samka), a group representing around 1,000 unlicensed durian farmers in Raub, were on-site opposing the tree felling.

The conflict stems from a broader issue involving durian orchards that have existed for generations on government-owned land without formal approval. The Royal Pahang Durian (RPD) group, chaired by the Sultan of Pahang's daughter, has now taken over the lease of the disputed area and offered to lease the land back to farmers for a fee, with conditions attached.

RPD's lease agreement requires farmers to sell their fruit to the consortium at fixed rates, which are significantly lower than market prices. This has sparked discontent among farmers who have been cultivating the land for decades in the hopes of eventually owning it.

Despite efforts by some farmers to legalize their land tenure through applications, they have been repeatedly rejected without explanation. The ongoing conflict, which involves hundreds of millions of ringgit, has highlighted the challenges faced by durian farmers in Malaysia.

Malaysia's durian exports are a significant source of revenue, with a large portion of the fruit being exported to China. However, farmers caught in the dispute are struggling to make ends meet, as they have been prevented from working on the land they have tended to for generations.

Efforts to resolve the conflict have been met with resistance from some farmers who feel that the terms offered by RPD are unfair. Despite modest increases in buyback prices for durians, tensions remain high as farmers continue to fight for their land rights.

In the midst of this dispute, a new player, DOA Plantation Sdn Bhd, has entered the scene, further complicating matters. The group's actions have raised concerns among farmers and added another layer of complexity to the already contentious situation.

As investigations into corruption related to illegal durian farms continue, the future remains uncertain for the farmers embroiled in the battle over land rights in Malaysia.