A company director has snapped up a RM43,000 offer by a golf resort over a crocodile attack.

The A'Famosa Golf Resort Bhd in Melaka has agreed to pay the amount in damages to Hong Kee Siong who was bitten by a crocodile while having a game at the resort on Chinese New Year's eve, six years ago.

Company lawyer, K Anushiya, informed Judicial Commissioner Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal of the settlement to Hong before the case was scheduled for hearing today.

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

The reptile also tried to drag him to a pond located near an area called 'Crocodile Nine, Hole 7'.

Hong said A'Famosa Resort was negligent as it had failed to detect the presence of crocodiles in the golf course which was a recreational and sport facility, open to the public.

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

The company director said he received 38 stitches on the left leg, was in severe mental shock and continued to suffer psychological problems.

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 '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.

- Bernama