Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his police are increasingly desperate as evidenced by the arrests of 17 labour activists, including two women, for participating in a peaceful and multi-ethnic May Day celebration.

The arrests are evidently a gross violation of human rights as well as an insult to the dignity and honour of the working class that has contributed so much to the economic development of Malaysia.

The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) must take an uncompromising stand in condemning the arrests and ensuring their unconditional release.

Otherwise, MTUC will be seen as just a 'yellow union' and a group of 'labour aristocrats' in the service of the Barisan Nasional government.

I also call on trade unions and labour movements all over the world to display solidarity with the oppressed Malaysian workers.

Working classes should unite as we have nothing to lose but our chains, as they say.