A'FAMOSA RESORT ASSURES GOLF COURSE IS SAFE

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The A'Famosa Golf Resort Berhad in
Melaka, which was sued by a company director over a crocodile attack about six
years ago, has assured the public that the golf course was safe.

Its general manager (property sales and marketing department), Allan Chee,
told Bernama that the management stood by its assertion that golfers playing the
course were under safe conditions -- if they complied with its safety rules and
regulations.

"A'Famosa would also like to clarify any misconception that there is
crocodile wandering around the golf links.

"A crocodile is, and always has been present at the feature 'Crocodile
Course', which is well-known to golfers, contained in a pit which is three
metres below ground-level and inaccessible to anyone unless it is intentionally
breached from the outside," he said.

Last Wednesday, A'Famosa Resort agreed to pay RM43,000 (US$1=RM3.3) in
damages to Hong Kee Siong who was bitten by a crocodile while looking for his
golf ball at the resort on Chinese New Year's eve, six years ago.

Its lawyer, Datin K. Anushiya, informed High Court Judicial Commissioner
Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal of the settlement before the case was scheduled for
hearing on that day.

Hong's counsel, Keppy Wong Khai Pun, told the media that Harmindar recorded
the consent judgment in chambers.

On May 18, 2004, Hong, of Taman Sungai Besi here, filed a suit, claiming he
was attacked and bitten by a crocodile while attempting to find his golf ball on
Jan 22.

The crocodile, measuring between six and eight metres in length, also bit
his left leg twice. Hong struck the beast's head before he managed to flee from
the scene.

In its statement of defence, A'Famosa Resort stressed that it had taken
appropriate steps to give adequate warnings and notices to all its members and
public users.

It had erected 'Beware' (Awas) signs and appropriate notices which were
sufficient to attract the attention of its members so that they would be
careful, especially
in the vicinity of the said area.

A' Famosa Resort Malaysia is located in Malacca, Malaysia, near the Simpang
Ampat exit on the North South Expressway. It was named after the famous 16th
century Portuguese fort of the same name which was once stood near the harbor
of Malacca city. The logo of the resort also incorporates a stylized silhouette
of the fort's gateway in the background.

-- BERNAMA