Court-backed JSC has authority over MTUC, chairman reaffirms

Solomon explains that the JSC was established through a Consent Order of the Court of Appeal, which authorised it to conduct the SDC and oversee MTUC affairs within a set timeframe. – Photo via Facebook
KUCHING (June 5): Recent claims suggesting that the Joint Special Committee (JSC) lacks the authority to manage the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) are misleading and contradict the Court of Appeal's explicit mandate, said JSC chairman J Solomon.
He explained that the JSC was established through a Consent Order of the Court of Appeal, which authorised it to conduct the Special Delegates Conference (SDC) and oversee MTUC affairs within a set timeframe.
'The JSC has already fixed the date for the SDC and issued circulars to affiliated unions,' Solomon said in a statement today.
He added that the Ministry of Human Resources (MoHR) had acknowledged the JSC's role by officially inviting its members to attend the Labour Day celebrations organised by the government, further recognising the JSC's legitimacy and responsibility in managing MTUC's affairs.
Solomon also criticised MoHR for refusing to submit the JSC-nominated names of Workers' Representatives to the International Labour Conference (ILC), calling the action 'a deliberate act of mischief'.
He stressed that the Court Order had resolved the internal crisis within MTUC and clearly mandated the JSC to manage its administration.
Solomon further alleged that MoHR withheld the workers' representative list from the ILC to avoid scrutiny over the Minister's actions, which he claimed were contrary to Convention 98 regarding interference in collective bargaining process and alleged collusion with employers.
'For the first time since becoming a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1957, Malaysian workers were not represented at the ILO conference,' he said.
He claimed the MoHR's refusal to submit the names was an attempt to prevent discussion about the Minister's conduct at the ILC.
'It is this agenda of MoHR which resulted in the workers of Malaysia not being represented at the ILC,' he added.
Solomon advised individuals and parties against making statements in blind support of the MoHR Minister as such remarks could mislead workers and stakeholders and potentially lead to contempt of court.
MTUC Sarawak has since urged the JSC to resolve the leadership impasse and refrain from issuing statements that could create confusion.
It reaffirmed that the JCS had been granted a specific three-month mandate to conduct the MTUC SDC. J Solomon Joint Special Committee MTUC

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Star

7 days ago

• The Star

Sabah PAS at a crossroads as state polls near

SANDAKAN: As Sabah gears up for its 17th state election, Sabah PAS finds itself at a political crossroads – a Perikatan Nasional component party in the Opposition at federal level, yet friendly with the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition. However, Sabah PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan stressed that the party's political direction remains with Perikatan. 'As of now, I feel I'm still among those who are friendly with GRS because it is part of the government, and that's based on the political history that began in 2020. "As for what will happen in the state election, if I look at the other parties, none of them have made a decision either. ALSO READ: Sabah PAS yet to finalise under which party logo to contest 'Everyone is still looking for friends, coalitions, and so on. In the context of Sabah, I think what's clear is that PAS remains within Perikatan. So any discussions are still centred on Perikatan,' he said after officiating the Karnival Keluarga Sandakan 2025 here on Saturday (June 14). Last month, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party aimed to contest at least six seats in Sabah, possibly under a different logo as part of a broader coalition strategy. Aliakbar, however, said no specific number of seats has been decided, and the party has yet to begin formal negotiations with any potential allies. 'For now, we are focused on strengthening our organisation within Perikatan,' he said. He also cautioned politicians against fanning regional sentiments ahead of the polls, warning that such rhetoric could threaten national unity. ALSO READ: Sabah PAS 'comfortable' with GRS, says state commissioner 'Sometimes, before elections, we act like there's a separation between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. If we keep stirring that, it could lead to bigger conflicts or long-term segregation,' he said. On candidates, Aliakbar said PAS intends to field credible and honest individuals with strong religious grounding and a clear understanding of the responsibility of leadership. 'If politicians don't understand the concept of sin and reward, they could fall into corruption or abuse of power,' he said. Although PAS has yet to win a seat in Sabah, the party will continue its community outreach and leave it to the public to evaluate its performance, Aliakbar said. His appointment as the first PAS-nominated assemblyman in Sabah in 2020 drew criticism from some state leaders and civil society groups, who viewed the party as too extreme for Sabah's multireligious and culturally diverse landscape. ALSO READ: Sabah PAS invites non-Muslims to join as associate members While concerns were raised about the potential impact on social harmony, PAS leaders sought to downplay the backlash, stressing that their priority in Sabah was service and inclusivity. Despite the early controversy, Aliakbar has remained the party's sole nominated assemblyman and continues to openly support the GRS-led state government. PAS became part of the Sabah government following the 2020 state election, when Perikatan aligned with GRS and Barisan Nasional to form the state administration after defeating Parti Warisan. In 2022, following the 15th General Election, Perikatan became the federal Opposition. Its position in Sabah also shifted after Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and several state leaders left Bersatu.

New Straits Times

14-06-2025

• New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Anwar announces one-year levy exemption for all private education institutions

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has announced a one-year exemption on education levy payments for all private learning institutions, effective Jan 1 next year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the move was aimed at reducing the financial burden faced by institutions across all levels, including preschools, primary and secondary schools, vocational colleges, and institutions of higher learning. "This is to allow these institutions to improve their resources and learning materials. "We want to ensure that our children receive the best possible training because that is the key to success," he said at the launch of National Training Week (NTW) 2025. Anwar said the decision followed extensive input from education and training institutions, which had appealed for support to ease operational pressures. As such, he called on the secretaries-general of the Education and Human Resources Ministries to closely monitor the implementation of the exemption to ensure it achieves its intended objectives. "I urge the relevant ministries to carry out this initiative as effectively as possible," he said. Anwar also reminded high-profit private companies not to neglect their responsibilities towards employees, particularly in terms of remuneration and wage increases. He said the skills and efficiency of private sector workers are highly valuable and deserve to be recognised as key contributors to the country's progress. "Several government-linked companies have already raised salaries, and I thank them. But there are still many skilled workers whose wages should be higher, given their expertise," he said. He added that the announcement aligns with the government's ongoing commitment to equitable economic growth and workforce development, particularly in conjunction with Labour Day.

Borneo Post

08-06-2025

• Borneo Post

JSC defends MTUC authority amid claims of leadership void

J Solomon – Photo via Facebook KUCHING (June 8): The Joint Special Committee (JSC) has asserted its position as the legitimate leadership of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), rejecting claims by the Human Resources Minister that the congress lacks leadership. JSC chairman J Solomon stated that the minister must be held accountable for Malaysia's failure to send a complete workers' delegation to the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC), a significant event under the International Labour Organisation (ILO). 'MTUC is the most widely represented organisation of workers in Malaysia,' said Solomon. 'As required by the ILO Constitution, MTUC is responsible for nominating the workers' delegation whilst the minister's role is to submit the names provided by MTUC,' he said in a statement yesterday. He stressed that the minister had no authority to interfere in MTUC's internal affairs, particularly as the organisation is already in in the process of holding elections scheduled for August 2 and 3. Solomon added that Malaysia's credibility at the ILO is at stake, especially since Malaysia is shortlisted for discussions on the implementation of Convention 98, which relates to workers' rights and anti-union discrimination. He further charged that the minister had failed to ensure that Malaysian workers representatives were registered at the ILC, adding that the entire conduct of the minister was an attempt to prevent criticism over Malaysia's labour laws shortcomings from being aired at the international stage. 'If the minister was sincere in wanting to ensure that Malaysian workers are to be represented at the ILC, he would have reached out to the JSC after receiving the ILO invitation,' Solomon said. 'Instead, the minister chose to do nothing but offer excuses, and it is now clear that he is misusing the entire government machinery including the Attorney General's Chambers to 'cover his mischief',' he added. 'Malaysia needs a strong and full tripartite representation at the ILC. Yet, instead of focusing on urgent labour reforms, the minister seems to be denying MTUC its rightful place in the ILC.'