KOTA KINABALU – With Aidilfitri next week and no salary payment in sight, a group of construction workers at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) in Sepanggar, here, assaulted a representative of their employer yesterday.
A video of the assault emerged on social media last night and has been shared widely since.
Angered over late salary payments, a group of construction workers at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) in Sepanggar, here, assaulted a representative of their employer yesterday. pic.twitter.com/ChZEfTyKW4
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) April 16, 2023
It shows a group of men wearing safety helmets and some with vests approaching temporary office premises at a worksite, before assaulting someone.
Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Phoong Jin Zhe, who is also chairman of KKIP, confirmed the assault.
The incident at about 1.15pm yesterday saw a man pulled, shoved and pushed to the ground. A few of the construction workers could also be seen raising their fists to hit him.
It was learned that the incident happened at the Shinsung E&G Office within the SK Nexilis project site at KKIP.
Three men believed to be in charge of Shinsung E&G workers were injured.
SK Nexilis is a South Korea company that is building a factory for copper foil production in KKIP. The company is one of the largest foreign investors in Sabah, with its project worth RM4.2 billion.
Shinsung E&G is one of the sub-contractors under Hyundai Engineering which is the main contractor of the SK Nexilis project.
Phoong in a statement today said he is aware of the incident and a police report has been lodged accordingly.
He said the incident followed complaints over delayed salary payments by Shinsung E&G.
Payment was initially scheduled to have been made on April 5, but was postponed to April 18 due to “internal reasons”, and this caused unhappy workers to turn aggressive while demanding immediate payment.
Phoong said the injured men were sent to Hospital Queen Elizabeth I for treatment.
“I am seriously concerned and request the incident to be addressed immediately so that Sabah will continue to be a preferred and friendly destination for investors meanwhile safeguarding the workers’ rights and interests,” he said.
Phoong, who is currently in China on an official visit, said he had been in personal communication with SK Nexilis and the main contractor, Hyundai Engineering, over the incident.
“They have made assurances that salary payments will be completed as soon as possible on April 17 or 18, for the affected workers.
“At the same time, I’ve asked my KKIP officers to pay a visit to the victims and send my regards on their behalf. The chief executive officer of KKIP, Lawrence G. Kimkuan will have a meeting with SK Nexilis and related parties soon,” Phoong said in his statement.
He urged all parties involved to resolve the salary dispute swiftly and in a peaceful manner so that all concerned could enjoy Aidilfitri break this coming weekend. – The Vibes, April 16, 2023
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