What's Up With The Raub Durian Dispute And Export to China

In Raub, Malaysia’s durian capital, a month-long enforcement operation starting April 8 felled 1,000 Musang King durian trees on 202ha of state land due to unauthorized farming. On May 8, 2025, Pahang’s Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah personally inspected the hilly site, expressing concern over land encroachments and expressed outrage at the situation.

Durian Dispute

The operation led to the arrest of Raub MP Chow Yu Hui for obstructing authorities. Farmers, mostly Chinese Malaysians, face challenges from Royal Pahang Durian, which leased 2,167ha since 2020, reportedly requiring fees and fixed-price fruit sales. The 1974 Green Book Plan encouraged cultivation, but without titles, farmers now face uncertainty, impacting Malaysia’s US$44.49 million durian export industry, particularly to China.

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