KUANTAN, Malaysia - The depression on his forehead is not the only scar Awang Ahmad Awang Kechik bears from a workplace accident four years ago.

The 57-year-old Felda settler suffers from memory loss and sometimes uncontrollable anger, a problem he did not have before the accident.

His wife Siti Isyah Ramli has stood by him, but things are tough financially because they received no compensation, despite the employer providing all the documents the insurance company needed.

Awang worked for a construction company named Rawson Enterprise Sdn Bhd in 2001 to supplement his income as a settler in Felda Bukit Sagu 1.

In 2005, he suffered serious head injuries after a fall at a construction site in Bukit Istana.

He was in a coma for a week, and now needs long-term treatment, including monthly visits to the psychiatric unit at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.

"He could not work after the accident and now we depend on our Felda earnings and our three daughters," Siti Isyah said.

She said her husband was registered with the Construction Industry Development Board and were told that the Social Security Organisation would investigate their claim for compensation.

Siti Isyah said three weeks ago the insurance company told her its Kuantan representative would settle the matter, but nothing has been done.