Cops fail in remand bid against 28 Gatco settlers

The High Court in Seremban today refused to grant police permission to detain 28 settlers from Kampung Gatco, Bahau, for another three days.

The group's lawyer, M Siveram, said High Court judge Siti Mariam Othman told both parties in chambers that she was concerned over the health of the detainees, many of whom are senior citizens.

"She also said that the grounds for the remand application by the police were insufficient," Siveram told Malaysiakini.

The 28 were detained on Tuesday, after allegedly blocking several trucks from leaving the area with lumber.

They argued that the removal of removal of the logs was illegal as there was a suit pending against the new landowners of Kampung Gatco.

However, the police investigated the group under Section 339 of the Penal Code for obstruction and wrongful restraint. If convicted, the 28 can be fined up to RM1,000, jailed up to a month, or both.

The long-drawn tussle over Kampung Gatco began in 2006, after the land it is located on was sold by the Thamarai Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The land was originally owned by the Negri Sembilan State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) which leased it to plantation workers, many of which became union members. - Mkini