A new batch of Ladang Batu Kawan residents are continuing their hunger strike over land owner Penang Development Corporation's (PDC) alleged move to cut electricity supply to the area last month.

According to Ladang Batu Kawan Workers Committee vice-chairperson Siva Perumal today, there are four women, aged 40-50, who are carrying out the strike at present.

PDC, a state government set-up helmed by Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Khoon, was said to have cut the electricity supply on Dec 6 and slapped the former oil palm estate workers with eviction notices two weeks later.

"The four of them began their hunger strike on Jan 7 when the earlier protesting six ended their week long strike," said Siva, who was part of the six, when contacted.

He added that there was initially five who took over the strike on Friday but one of them gave up yesterday.

"We will continue the strike until Dr Koh Tsu Koon visits us and helps us resolve the matter. We have sent an invitation to him but have to yet to receive a reply," he said.

Koh was not available for comment as he is in the US and will only return on Jan 17.

Malaysiakini was also informed that the chief minister's press secretary was on leave till Jan 13 and that no one in his office was aware of the situation.

Unkept promises

The estate, which is home to over 300 people, was previously owned by Taiko Plantations Sdn Bhd. However in 1992, PDC acquired the land which resulted in the estate workers losing their jobs.

A majority of the former estate workers - mainly Malaysian Indians - are said to be struggling with finances and have not been compensated by the PDC on losing their livelihood.

Incorporated in 1969, the PDC - which is developing the land mainly for housing projects - have also been accused of not keeping its promises to the workers of providing alternative housing.

The latest move to cut the electricity supply was described by the workers committee and interest groups as 'cruel' since school-going children there are not able to revise their studies.

It was also reported that some 100 residents, mainly women and children, have been seeking refuge in a nearby temple which has electricity supply during the nights.

Faulty generator

Contacted today, PDC's Planning and Land Development division head Mohd Bazir Abdul Kahar denied that the corporation had cut the electricity supply.

He claimed that there was a problem with the generator in the area.

"We (the PDC) along with the state land office and the state assemblyperson are working with the residents to solve the problem," he said, refusing to comment further.

The workers committee had earlier said that the meetings held with the various government representatives have failed to yield any results.