Will Perak MB intervene to save ancestral farmlands?

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Perak Mentri Besar's Intervention Sought for Farmers Facing Eviction

Four farmers from Kuala Kuang, Chemor, are appealing to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu for assistance to prevent a developer from acquiring their ancestral agricultural land for a housing project. The farmers, who have cultivated the land since before World War Two, received eviction letters on August 2, ordering them to vacate their holdings by September 1. Their landholdings range from 1.6 to 3.2 hectares each.
Historical Land Cultivation and Grant

The affected farmers, Yap Yew Keen, Wong Seng, Choo Boon Leong, and Wong Ah Koo, have a long-standing connection to the land in Kuala Kuang. Their cultivation efforts predate the Second World War. However, in 2007, the previous state Barisan Nasional government granted a 22-hectare plot, which includes the farmers' cultivated areas, to Syarikat Bukit Aneka Sdn Bhd. This company is a subsidiary of Syarikat LTS Properties Sdn Bhd, ultimately owned by TS Law Land Holdings.
Eviction Notice and Developer's Plans

The farmers were served eviction notices on August 2, demanding they vacate the land by September 1, with the threat of legal action for non-compliance. The land has been earmarked for a housing development project. PSM chairman Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj highlighted that the farmers were not consulted prior to the eviction notice.
Farmers' Previous Applications and Lack of Alternatives

The farmers have a history of seeking official recognition for their farming activities. They have repeatedly applied for grants to farm the land since the 1980s, but these applications were consistently rejected. The state land office has not offered any alternative land for cultivation to these farmers.
Appeal to Government Promises and Alternative Land Use

Dr Jeyakumar pointed out that the current Pakatan Harapan government had previously pledged to preserve land for small-scale farmers. He questioned the necessity of using existing agricultural land for housing, suggesting that corporate-owned estate land could be utilized instead, with compensation provided to the landowners. A memorandum has been submitted to the Mentri Besar, requesting his intervention in this matter. Mentri Besar Ahmad Faizal has previously expressed his commitment to assisting small-scale farmers occupying government land in obtaining proper grants.

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Will Perak MB intervene to save ancestral farmlands?

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