POSSIBLE DEREGISRATION OF MTUC
Regrettably, we are not surprised that the shenanigans at the top level have put the 70-year-old organisation, almost 200 affiliates, and more than half a million workers at risk.
KUCHING: Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak has urged the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to take action against rogue officials (if any) who caused mismanagement in its national headquarters instead of deregistering the organisation.
In a statement issued yesterday, MTUC Sarawak expressed concern over the ROS’ issuance of a notice under Section 13 of the Societies Act 1966 to MTUC demanding an acceptable explanation as to why MTUC should not be deregistered.
“We (MTUC Sarawak Division) believe that the action by the Registrar was not taken lightly and was done after an investigation. We will cooperate fully with the Registrar and will provide information and documents when asked,” it said, adding that it had not been informed by MTUC headquarters about any prior investigation by ROS.
In the same statement, MTUC Sarawak was of the opinion that there was indeed some mismanagement in its national headquarters.
It reads: “Regrettably, we are not surprised that the shenanigans at the top level have put the 70-year-old organisation, almost 200 affiliates, and more than half a million workers at risk.
“Should there be serious discrepancies, omissions or failures to comply with the MTUC constitution and/or relevant provisions of the relevant Act, we urge the Registrar to act against the officials involved,” it stated.
It also appealed that MTUC should not be deregistered as the move would put the interests of affiliates and millions of members at risk.
“They should not suffer due to the actions of rogue officials,” it stressed.
“We would like to believe that MTUC Sarawak Division has complied with all provisions of the constitution of MTUC as well as the relevant provisions of the Societies Act 1966.
“We have submitted all returns, minutes of meetings and financial statements to the Registrar through our headquarters.”
MTUC Sarawak is led by its chairman Mohd Ibrahim Hamid assisted by its secretary Andrew Lo. They have been quite vocal in addressing issues of labour in the state.
Last Friday, ROS announced that it had suspended MTUC following a probe after it received complaints on mismanagement of MTUC.
It mentioned that it received complaints on July 2, alleging poor management. The suspension order was to prevent the organisation from continuing to violate any of its own rules.
The MTUC was also given 30 days from the date of notice (Dec 18) to provide a reply as to why it should not be deregistered, it said.
