DURIAN runtuh is a Malay proverb that denotes a sudden, unexpected windfall. Signalling good fortune or stroke of unexpected luck, the saying evokes the image of a ripe durian fruit falling from a tree onto someone’s path.
This saying can be applied literally to the on-going illegal durian farms controversy in Raub, Pahang which has unexpectedly given the opposition plenty of fodder to attack the Madani administration.
The unexpected stroke of luck can be narrowed to the actions of DAP’s Raub MP Chow Yu Hui who has made unwanted headlines with his protests.
As advisor to the Save Musang King Alliance (SAMKA), Chow was among five individuals summoned to assist in a police investigation for obstructing public servants during an enforcement operation targeting illegal durian orchards in Raub.
On this note, Bersatu Pahang state assemblyman Datuk Jasri Jamaludin has condemned Chow for supporting illegal durian farmers and leading a protest on April 10 to block enforcement actions in Bukit Klau, Raub.
Adding fuel to the fire is PAS lawmaker Fadhli Shaari who questioned if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was on the same page with his DAP allies on the matter.
In the Pasir Mas MP’s contention, DAP at both the state and national levels had remained silent on the actions of Chow. Instead, it was PMX who made a statement that he disagreed with the protest, thus leading Fadhli to question strength of the ruling coalition’s alliance.
Citing numerous other issues on his Facebook page, the PAS information chief gleefully insinuated that PMX was not in full control of his partners in the Madani government.
The post was accompanied by a video of the Sultan of Pahang expressing His Highness’ anger with this illegal encroachment of Pahang soil, of which he hopes an amicable solution can be found.
Needless to say, the anti-DAP brigade (and by extension the anti-Madani crew) were out in full force.
However, one seemingly pro-Madani netizen rebutted Fadhli. Since the Raub MP had contested under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) ticket, it was only right that PMX as chairman of the coalition to speak out on the matter.
Another echoed this sentiment by contending that it was good that DAP chose to remain silent on the matter as it would only provide grist to the mill for the opposition.
One commenter chided Fadhli for using this issue to attack PMX. He wondered if Perikatan Nasional (PN) would have the political will to take similar actions (fell the durian trees).
Noting the blame game culture, another commenter noted how convenient it was for the opposition to transfer blame from DAP to PMX.
It would appear that the opposition’s plan to turn use this as ammunition to attack the Madani administration has backfired somewhat.
After all, it was pointed out that these illegal durian farms have been in existence for decades, far longer than the Madani administration has been in power.
Why was there previously no action? – April 16, 2025
