JOHOR BAHARU, April 5 (Bernama) -- Some 578 traditional fishermen in Pengerang, Kota Tinggi, today filed a suit seeking compensation for land reclamation work in connection with the Deep Sea Petroleum Terminal project.

The writ of summons and statement of claim were filed by counsel Mohd Shujaa Halim of law firm Shujaa Mazri & Co at the High Court registrar office, Menara MSC Cyberport here.

Shujaa told reporters that the three defendants named in the suit were Pengerang Independent Terminal Sdn Bhd, Dialog E&L Sdn Bhd and the Johor state government.

The fishermen are seeking compensation of RM500,000 each for loss of income and an injunction restraining the first and second defendants from continuing work until their demands are met or after the compensation is awarded.

Earlier, some of the fishermen gathered peacefully in the compound of Menara MSC Cyberport before the writ of summons and statement of claim were filed.