The A'Famosa Golf Resort in Malacca, which was sued by a man over a crocodile attack about six years ago, has assured the public that the golf course was safe.

General manager 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 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, 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, told the media that Harmindar recorded the consent judgment in chambers.

Bitten by giant croc

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 '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