Latest news with #OpSekat3.0
![[UPDATED] Pahang land encroachment case: MACC to gather documents, record witness statements](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FPahang_land_1746787135.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Pahang land encroachment case: MACC to gather documents, record witness statements](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Pahang land encroachment case: MACC to gather documents, record witness statements
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is in the process of obtaining relevant documents related to a land encroachment case in Pahang to assist with its investigations. The MACC's Strategic Communications Division said the documents are intended to help identify and record statements from witnesses. "The investigation is currently focused on obtaining relevant documents for review to identify and record statements from witnesses. "The MACC has also identified the settlers involved," the division told the New Straits Times today. On April 29, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had said that they would summon individuals involved in the Raub, Pahang land encroachment case from about 10 years ago and earlier, including those who have since retired. Azam said this as the graft busters are conducting a thorough investigation, not only focusing on governance issues but also examining how certain parties had allowed the land to be encroached upon over the years. Previously, two-term Tras assemblyman Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji had called for the MACC to investigate the issue of illegal durian farms in the area. Tengku Zulpuri, a former Raub member of Parliament, said the illegal farms in the district had been an "open secret" for over 30 years. This comes after authorities launched Op Sekat 3.0 on April 8, felling durian trees on illegal farms spanning 202.34 hectares - an area roughly equivalent to 283 football fields in Raub.
![Pahang sultan gets behind wheel to inspect illegal durian farm in rough Raub terrain [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fraub_1746777930.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Pahang sultan gets behind wheel to inspect illegal durian farm in rough Raub terrain [WATCH]
RAUB: Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah drove a four-wheel-drive vehicle to a former illegal durian farm at Batu 3, Jalan Sungai Ruan–Sungai Klau, near here yesterday. The Pahang ruler was behind the wheel of a white Toyota Hilux, accompanied by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail in the front passenger seat. A one-minute, 54-second video shared on the Kesultanan Pahang Facebook page showed Al-Sultan Abdullah carefully manoeuvering the vehicle on a hillside dirt road flanked by dense forest. The sultan maintained a firm grip on the steering wheel as he focused on navigating the unfamiliar route until he reached the top of the hill, where the landscape levelled out. The caption accompanying the video said that Al-Sultan Abdullah had driven through steep and rugged terrain to reach the site yesterday. "Earlier, the sultan met officers from the Raub Land and District Office to discuss the encroachment on 26,000 acres (10,521ha) of land in the district, which had been going on for some time. "Since enforcement began in mid-2024, 15,000 durian trees on about 500 acres (202.34ha) have been felled," the caption said. The post said the sultan's presence underscored his commitment to curbing land encroachment, particularly the illegal cultivation of durian in the area. Journalists who accompanied the visit endured a similarly rough journey, as the site is only accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles. The 15-minute uphill ride required careful navigation on a narrow road, with a steep slope on one side and a ravine on the other, with several sharp bends. To reach the site bordering the Gunung Benom Forest Reserve, the convoy passed through licensed orchards and dense forests before arriving at an area full of durian tree stumps. Raub, renowned for its Musang King durian, has recently come under the spotlight of the authorities throught the Op Sekat 3.0 enforcement operation that targeted illegal durian plantations. Durian trees were felled on 202.34ha of illegal farms, an area roughly the size of 283 football fields. The operation ran from April 8 to May 3. Al-Sultan Abdullah yesterday expressed his shock at the scale of the land encroachment — estimated at 10,521ha, or equivalent to about 14,700 football fields.
New Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Thousands of trees cleared in Op Sekat 3.0 crackdown on illegal durian farms
RAUB: Thousands of trees over an area measuring 202.34 hectares were cleared when the authorities carried out the Op Sekat 3.0 crackdown on the illegal durian farms on state-controlled land here last month. Pahang Enforcement Unit (UPNP) elite team head, Saifullah Muhammad Ali, said most of the illegal farmers were not present at their plantations while only their workers, mostly foreigners, occupied the huts at the farms. "UPNP proposes that all the huts be destroyed and all farming equipment in government land and forest reserves to be seized, especially in areas where no decisions have been made yet. "Majority of the illegal farmers never paid taxes because they do not have legal land ownership. "They have reaped profits from illegally grown durians for a long time so we suggest the Inland Revenue Board to conduct detailed investigations on all the farmers," he said when briefing the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah here today. The briefing today was on the recent Op Sekat 3.0 enforcement operation against illegal durian farmers at Batu 3 Jalan Sungai Ruan-Sungai Klau here today. Also present was the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Pahang State Secretary Datuk Nazri Abu Bakar and Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman. Meanwhile, Saifullah said that due to the vast size of the encroached land, they have proposed to use real-time satellite imaging services to conduct monitoring. "The illegal farms are too huge to be physically patrolled so we propose real-time satellite imaging services through subscriptions," he said. The Op Sekat special operation
New Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Pahang ruler concerned over land clearing activities in Cameron Highlands
RAUB: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, has likened the rampant land encroachment in Cameron Highlands to the Malay proverb "nasi sudah menjadi bubur" (the rice has become broth). He said that despite carrying out Op Gading, an operation to combat illegal land encroachment in the highlands, unlicensed land clearing and occupation continue to occur. "One district I am particularly concerned about is Cameron Highlands. I am saddened to see the hilly areas being cleared indiscriminately, and this must be stopped. "From my observations during a helicopter flight over Bertam Valley, I no longer saw lush green forests. "Instead, the landscape is now covered with what I call a 'plastic forest' (plastic-covered structures used for farming)... it has turned into a 'plastic jungle' in Bertam Valley. 'Nasi sudah menjadi bubur'(the damage may already be irreversible). Perhaps the Pahang government can explore new methods and implement them in Cameron Highlands," he SAID. The ruler was speaking to reporters after attending a briefing on the recent Op Sekat 3.0 enforcement operation at Batu 3, Jalan Sungai Ruan–Sungai Klau, today. Also present were Tengku Mahkota Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, State Secretary Datuk Nazri Abu Bakar, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman and Pahang Enforcement Unit elite team head Saifullah Muhammad Ali. Al-Sultan Abdullah said land clearing activities must be stopped immediately. Launched in 2018, Op Gading was part of the government's effort to curb illegal encroachment while supporting flood mitigation and river-cleaning initiatives, aimed at preventing mud floods and landslides.
New Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sultan of Pahang shocked by 10,521ha land encroachment in Raub
RAUB: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, expressed shock upon learning that approximately 10,521ha of land in Raub had been illegally encroached. The ruler was astonished by the vast scale of the encroachment, which is equivalent to approximately 14,700 football fields. "I was surprised during the briefing by the UPNP (Pahang Enforcement Unit elite team), as around 26,000 acres of land have been encroached upon for decades in Raub. "This encroachment must be stopped through the most effective methods. "If this is allowed to continue, it would appear as though there is no enforcement from the Forestry Department, District and Land Office, or the Menteri Besar's Office. "Those planning to apply for government land must go through the proper channels and procedures," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the recent Op Sekat 3.0 enforcement operation at Batu 3, Jalan Sungai Ruan–Sungai Klau today.
