National Union of Journalists president Hata Wahari was today found guilty of all eight charges filed against him by his employer, Umno-owned Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd, at the conclusion of a domestic inquiry (DI) against him.

However, the inquiry will hand out the punishment to the union leader in two weeks' time.

The DI decision was read out this morning by committee chairperson Mohd Basir Abdul Rahim.

Hata ( left in picture ) said he does not know what to expect of his punishment.

The NUJ president was issued with a notice on Dec 27 last year, ordering him to appear before the DI, which began on Jan 6 at the company's office in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Hata was hauled up by the Utusan Melayu management for, among others, "revealing company secrets".

Utusan Malaysia

Hata said the eight charges which he faced stemmed from reports which were published in Malaysiakini, Malaysian Insider, The Sun and Merdeka Review .

“I will only know the decision by Utusan Malaysia’ s management in two weeks,” he told Malaysiakini .

Hata had been vocal in airing his views on Utusan Malaysia, which is owned by Utusan Melayu (M) Sdn Bhd, including the dwindling circulation and questionable editorial policy

' Utusan can't take action on union official '

In an immediate response, NUJ general-secretary V Anbalagan expressed regret over the decision made by the Utusan Malaysia domestic inquiry.

“However, I have to say that this is highly expected of Utusan Malaysia . I have to stress that Hata is only airing his views as a union person in highlighting the interests of the workers and mainly bread-and-butter issues.”

“This is protected by the NUJ constitution. Utusan Malaysia has no authority to take action or punish a union official,” Anbalagan stressed.

Anbalagan said despite this, the possible action that Hata could face included being issued a stern warning, a salary cut or even the sack.

He said NUJ will back its president whatever the repercussions.

“If Hata is given the sack then we would support him in bringing a case at the industrial court to seek a reinstatement,” he said.

“We will have to wait on what type of punishment will be given.”