KUANTAN: The alleged gathering involving Musang King durian farmers at Dataran Pasar Sungai Klau in Raub tomorrow has received strong objection from the people in the vicinity.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said apart from the residents in the area, venue operator Raub District Council has not given its green light for the organiser to utilise the premises.
"The event has not been approved and action can be taken against those who gather at the venue.
"The district council is not allowing the gathering to be held at the venue, so we urge the organisers to call it off," he said when contacted today.
Yahaya was commenting on earlier reports that The Save Musang King Alliance (SAMKA) had planned to organise a gathering tomorrow to express the difficulties faced by Raub durian farmers and demand the relevant authorities to legally lease the durian farm land to the farmers for cultivation and sale of durians.
Samka president Wilson Chang dismissed Raub police chief Superintendent Mohd Shahril Abdul Rahman's statement that tomorrow's rally was illegal.
Chang said he had submitted the notice to inform police permission on Aug 30 some eight days before the planned gathering.
Yesterday, Shahril said stern action would be taken against those attending the gathering.
He said event organisers had informed police last week, but it did not comply with the 10-day notice as required under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Yahaya was previously reported as saying a total of 48 individuals, comprising 24 locals and 24 foreigners, have been detained during Op Sekat a special operation against illegal durian farming activities in Raub, since it was launched on April 30.
On July 19, a total of 131 Musang King farmers from Raub failed to gain access to their orchards to maintain the trees after the Court of Appeal dismissed their application.