Malaysia, Johor: Fishermen seek redress from Pengerang petrochemical project

Yee Xiang Yun The Star 8 Sep 12;

PENGERANG: A total of 118 members of the Pengerang Fishermen Association here have officially appointed two lawyers to claim for general and special damages suffered by the fishermen due to the ongoing petroleum oil and refinery development project.

Lawyers Jimmy Puah and Hassan Abdul Karim would be representing the plaintiffs in the case against three main parties, which are Pengerang Independent Terminal Sdn Bhd, Dialog E&C Sdn Bhd and the Johor state government.

Some 50 of the fishermen from the Pengerang area, Kg Baru, Kg Kapal, Punggai, Sungai Rengit and Teluk Ramunia handed the letter of appointment to both lawyers at Kg Baru here recently.

Puah said they would file the cases for damages and compensation, loss of livelihood and loss of income.

“We are planning to cap the compensation amount at RM500,000 for general damages and special damages differ from each fisherman, depending on the court’s decision.

“We will send a notice of demand to all three parties and other relevant agencies after Sept 10 and wait for seven days for their reply before filing the case at the Johor Baru civil court at Menara Cyberport,” he told a press conference here.

He also urged the fishermen to refer to him and Hassan if any other parties offer them any form of compensation during the process because it affects legal elements.

He added that if in the seven days the three parties replied or offer any solutions to them, they would have to discuss with the fishermen before taking the next action.

Fisherman Mohd Noor Jamil, who represents the group of fishermen, said they appointed the lawyers to fight for what they deserve and not to oppose the government or the developments.

He added that there were about 500 affected fishermen in the Pengerang area.