Logging firm Seruan Gemilang urges Najib to get the Pahang state government to honour a court order and pay up RM70 million in compensation.
KUALA LUMPUR: Logging company Seruan Gemilang Sdn Bhd has called upon Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to compel Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob to honour a court decision ordering the state government to pay RM 70 million in compensation to the company.
Speaking at a press conference here, company manager Lee Sin said that company officials planned to meet Najib in Parliament next month.
“We need his help as we are helpless now,” he said, flanked by some 20 people, mostly his employees and sub-contractors.
Also present were DAP leaders, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng.
The logging company filed a suit against the state government over a breach of contract in 2002 and 2007. The Kuantan High Court ruled in the former’s favour.
The Federal Court also ruled in the company’s favour when it quashed the state government’s appeal in the same year. However, the state government had yet to pay the amount.
Lee said since 2007, he had not been able to pay the sub-contractors and his employees their salaries due to the state government’s defiance.
“I owe a sub-contractor nearly RM100,000 for usage of timber equipment.
“Although he has just undergone a by-pass surgery with his own expense, he is still patient and joined me in my struggle to get what is due to us,” he added.
Former employee, Abdul Hamid Abdul Ghani, 63, said Seruan Gemilang offered him RM50,000 in goodwill payment in 2004 when he lost both legs in an accident during a fishing trip.
“They have already given me about RM20,000 but unable to deliver the rest of the money due to shortage of funds.
“I hope the state government pays soon so that I can get a new set of prosthetic legs for myself as the current one has worn off,” he added.
‘This is contempt of court’
Meanwhile, Tan said the state government was acting in contempt of court.
“It is very unfortunate that we do not have legislation to seal the state government for its defiance against a court order,” added the MP.
He also said that the state government’s arrogance served as a blow to Malaysia’s image in the international arena.
“Foreign investors are watching. I have heard that many investors are reluctant to come to Malaysia as a state government can easily ignore a court order,” he added, urging Najib to intervene.
“If the prime minister refuses to act, then we will meet him in the general election,” he said.
Earlier, the group staged a peaceful protest at a nearby car park, holding placards calling for Adnan to obey the court order. One placard called the menteri besar a “cowboy” for being defiant.
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