MCA: DPM also had a hand in farmers’ eviction
PUCHONG: An MCA leader today said that the Pakatan Harapan federal government also had a hand in the Pahang state government’s action to evict over 30 illegal vegetable farmers from their land in Kuala Terla, Cameron Highlands.
In a statement, MCA vice president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said the decision to evict the farmers was made by the National Security Council (MKN), which is under the purview of the federal government.
“The MKN, chaired by none other than our Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, had instructed the Pahang state government to go ahead with Ops Lestari 2, which is to evict the illegal farmers with immediate effect,” he claimed.
Yesterday, the illegal farmers were reported to have been evicted from the land by force using officers from the Pahang Land Office, police and Federal Reserve Unit.
Pahang state secretary Datuk Seri Dr Sallehuddin Ishak defended the move saying the decision was made by the book.
While he acknowledged that the farmers had obtained a court injunction against the eviction on March 11, they decided to withdraw the suit on Sept 30.
“The state government is committed to continue its enforcement actions and will not compromise to ensure the environmental sustainability and people’s interest in Cameron Highlands are realised.
“The Kuala Terla Water Treatment Plant is the most important and largest plant providing more than 70% of Cameron Highlands’ clean water needs, involving 8,332 accounts,” Sallehuddin was reported saying.
Upset with the decision, MIC president Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran had instructed all party members holding posts in the state government to quit in protest against the eviction.
Touching on the matter, Ti said that both Pahang menteri besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Wan Azizah had promised the farmers that they will work to resolve the matter amicably during the Cameron Highlands by-election this year.
“We do understand that the farmers were given eviction notices early this year as their illegal farming activities had breached their temporary land occupancy permit, leaving Sungai Ichat, Sungai Tiang and Sungai Bertam polluted.
“Therefore, the law must take its course. However, we must also remember the promises made to the farmers and it is best we find a win-win solution rather than using heavy-handed tactics,” he said.
Ti then urged Wan Azizah and Rosdy to use their powers to resolve the matter amicably while taking into consideration of the farmers’ livelihood.
“Both parties should fulfil the pledges made to the farmers during the by-election,” he said.
By G Vinod
