KOTA BARU: A group of 48 security guards held a peaceful demonstration to protest against a company for failing to pay their outstanding salaries.
The company had hired them to work as security guards in 12 schools in the district.
The group, led by Roslan Kamarulzaman, claimed that their employer did not pay them their salaries since August.
Roslan said the security company has been facing financial problems since it took a contract from the Education Ministry last September.
"We started to realise the employer was having financial problems when they began paying our salary in installments.
"We had also earlier approached the company owner to get an explanation on the matter but he told us that he has yet to receive any payment from the district education office.
"The total losses for all the 48 security guards amount to more than RM150,000," he said.
The 40-year-old later lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at its office.
Speaking to reporters after lodging the report, Roslan said he then went to the district education office and was told that the company owner had already received the payment for the contract.
"Many of the guards are facing difficulties to support their lives especially in raising their families.
"We have also lodged a police report urging police to investigate the case," he said.
Roslan said he tried to contact the company owner after speaking to the district education officer, but failed to do so.