Hunger strike over court payment ends

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14, 2011): The directors and shareholders of a logging company yesterday ended their hunger strike organised to demand payment of a court award of RM 70 million from the Pahang government.

The eight-day strike by 10 people from Seruan Gemilang Makmur Sdn Bhd (SGM) concluded at a parking lot in front of Loke Hup temple in Segambut.

SGM director Lee Sin said the group would leave today for Palok near Kuantan where they will hold another hunger strike.

"The group will be requesting for an audience with the Pahang Sultan and will pressure the state government to make the payment," Lee told a press conference.

In 2008, SGM won a breach of contract suit against the Pahang government and the state forestry director.

Lee claimed that Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob was behaving like a "gangster" by refusing to pay the amount decided by the High Court.

Lee said Adnan had instead claimed the company had cheated the Pahang government.

"We have applied for a court warrant to take action on the Pahang State Treasurer to pay the amount immediately, " Lee added.

However, he said the Pahang government filed an appeal against the warrant, and the case will be heard on Sept 20, 2011 in Putrajaya.