KUANTAN: The operation by Pahang Forestry Department on Saturday (July 3) against illegal plantations in a permanent forest reserve in Raub did not involve durian farms whose operators initiated a lawsuit last year.

       Pahang Forestry Department director Datuk Dr Mohd Hizamri Yasin said the operation was to stop and clear illegal plantations in the Batu Talam forest reserve.

       He said that four individuals, including two locals, were detained during the enforcement action that began on Saturday.

       A news portal reported Mohd Hizamri as saying that this was not unusual as the department had conducted similar operations several times before.

       "The road was closed for the enforcement operations... we did not enter the durian farms, which are supposed to be owned by the consortium (Royal Pahang Durian Resources-PKPP Sdn Bhd). Our enforcement operation is outside the area (in the forest reserve)," he said.

       The news portal also reported that Forestry Department personnel had gone to the area to conduct surveillance and enforcement at the forest reserve.

       "They share the same path to the farms. A large-scale operation will be conducted, but it will not involve durian farms whose operators have a case pending in court.

       "Some irresponsible quarters had grown fruit trees on forest reserve land and they have been operating for quite a long time," said the source as reported by the news portal.

       The source said the authorities never went against a court order as alleged by several individuals in a viral video taken at the durian farm entrance on Saturday.

       "The presence of policemen is quite common during enforcement operations conducted by the Forestry Department. Last week, policemen were present during an operation to destroy illegal fruit trees at the Klau forest reserve," he said.