Pahang MB's Office 'occupiers' arrested

A group of 31 residents and activists from Cameron Highlands were arrested this evening for refusing to disperse from outside the Pahang Menteri Besar's Office in Kuantan.

The group members, led by Cameron Highlands Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) chief B Suresh Kumar told Malaysiakini that they were arrested for trying to "Occupy the MB's office" since 1pm.

Thirteen men, 12 women and six children were detained at 4pm, after they refused to budge until they were given an appointment with Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob.

Suresh (right) said they had gathered to protest after not getting any response to 15 memoranda that they had addressed to Adnan on problems related to land and welfare that they faced.

Some of the complainants are farmers who have not been re-issued with temporary operating licences (TOL) although they have been working on the land for 40 years and operators of stalls in Green Cow, KEA Farm, whose premises are facing demolition.

“We were arrested because we insisted that we will only move after we get an appointment to meet the menteri besar,” said Suresh. 

Suaram condemns arrests

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) in an immediate response lambasted the arrests, saying the residents were appealing to the menteri besar for their livelihood.

“The problems they have been facing are yet to be solved, even though they have sent 17 letters to the Cameron Highlands district office and met with the officers seven times.

“Another 15 letters were sent to the Menteri Besar’s Office, but his officers only met them twice. Four letters were sent to the Prime Minister’s Office and they could only meet these officers twice,” said the NGO.

Suaram said the group never got any solution to their problems and decided to protest in Putrajaya. However, they cancelled this plan after Adnan promised to meet with them and discuss their problems.

Checks with Kuantan district police chief Jasmani Mohd Yusof on the arrests have been futile.