Police deny workers were rioting in Sibu

SIBU: The police today denied there was a riot by Indonesian workers, at a plywood factory owned by a local company, here today.
On the contrary, Sibu District police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said, the 700 Indonesian workers were only holding a demonstration to demand the company to stop the RM101 levy deduction from their monthly wage.
"The situation is under control with no incidents. The Criminal Investigation Department team was there and the company has agreed to negotiate with the workers," he said when contacted here today.
When asked to comment on photographs said to be a riot, uploaded on Facebook today, he said the photographs were on burning of rubbish believed to have taken place near a workers' hostel.
Last December, the Human Resource Ministry in a statement said, effective January this year, all employers must bear the cost of levy payments for new foreign workers as well as foreign workers who have renewed their Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) Pass.
According to the ministry stern action would be taken against employers who failed to comply with the law, regulations and policies with regards to the foreign workers' levy payment. — Bernama