Pengerang fishermen hung out to dry

The plight of 578 fishermen from Perairan Pantai Pengerang were brought to the forefront today as they gathered in front of Menara MSC Cyberport (Formerly known as Menara Sarawak) Jalan Bukit Meldrum, Johor Bahru for a peaceful demonstration.

Compensation demands were made from Pengerang Independent Terminal Sdn Bhd and Dialog E & L Sdn Bhd alongside the Johor state government for land reclamation work in connection with Deep Sea Petroleum Terminal project.

This demonstration was a call to demand for a compensation of RM500,000 for each fisherman from 10 villages in Pengerang.

Counsel Mohd Shujaa Bin Halim and Aziz Bin Shukor from Shujaa Mazri & CO will be representing all 578 fishermen.

Shujaa told the media that an injunction that will restrain Pengerang Independent Terminal Sdn Bhd and Dialog E & L Sdn Bhd from preceding with developments in the area will be taken out on them until some form of compensation is agreed upon.

Fishermen Heng Miyaso , age 68 , has been working as a fisherman for almost 40 years. He has invested almost RM100,000 for his fishing boat, fishing tools and equipment.