By PSM
CHEMOR, Perak –Government enforcement officers roughed up a civilian who tried to prevent crops cultivated by small farmers from being destroyed.
This incident, at a time when our country is facing a food security crisis, is something that is really not “madani” (civil).
Moreover, this incident took place in the parliamentary constituency of the prime minister, who came up with the idea of Malaysia Madani.
The Perak state land enforcement team entered the agricultural area cultivated by small farmers in the Kanthan area in Chemor, Perak, today in an attempt to clear the land, on which vegetables, fruit and farmed fish were being produced or reared.
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The affected small farmers, together with farmers from other areas and activists of the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM), rushed there to prevent the destruction of crops, cultivated by the small farmers, without a fair resolution.
While in the farmer’s area in Kanthan, Chong Yee Shan, a PSM activist who was present in solidarity with the small farmers, was roughed up by a Perak state land enforcement officer.
Chong was pushed by the enforcement officer and fell to the ground, sustaining injuries. Chong’s face was seen covered in blood after falling to the ground.
The small farmers in Kanthan and the PSM activists who stand in solidarity with these farmers, only ask that the forced eviction of these farmers be stopped and that discussions be held to find a fair solution.
However, the authorities are still stubborn about destroying crops cultivated by these small farmers and even use violence against activists who are concerned about food security issues.
Six farmers in the Kanthan area recently received an eviction notice under Section 425 of the National Land Code. They have been cultivating vegetables, fruits and rearing fish there for decades.
They were evicted because the Perak State Development Corporation (PKNP), which owns the land, wants to take it for development purposes. The farmland they worked on is located within the Tambun parliamentary area, whose current MP is Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister.
Officials from the Perak land and mines office who were present today tried to force the Kanthan farmers to accept an offer to get out of their land, but did not specify any detailed information in that offer.
Kanthan farmers have tried to ask the authorities to cancel the eviction notice and asked the PM to intervene to prevent the destruction of the vegetable farms that produce food for the local community.
However, the Perak state authorities still want to evict these small farmers by force and destroy the food crops there.
PSM condemns the violent actions of the Perak land enforcement officers against the activists. PSM also urges the PM and the Perak state government to stop the forced eviction of small farmers in Kanthan.
If our government is serious about food security, then it should not allow the arbitrary eviction of small farmers who produce food for our society. – PSM
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
