With the Malaysian Trades Union Congress triennial elections due for March 6, a document has recently surfaced revealing an open split in the bodys leadership as far back as August 2000.

In a frank disclosure penned by the current MTUC secretary-general to his president, the former expresses utter disappointment and sadness over the behavior of the latter whom he accuses of backstabbing and bigotry.

In the five-page letter, a copy of which was obtained by malaysiakini , G Rajasekaran poured out his heart to his once-close ally and long-time comrade and friend, Zainal Rampak, expressingdeep disappointment and unhappiness over the latters attitude.

He said Zainals changed attitude was visible almost immediately after being appointed a senator, confirming the worst fears of several working committee members and close mutual friends.

Unfortunately, you became a new person almost immediately. You wanted to be surrounded by Yes-men. You started to have pre-meetings even before the working committee meetings, mostly to speak against me, find fault and condemn the secretariat, said Rajasekaran in the letter dated Aug 10, 2000.

He also accused Zainal of launching a campaign among trade unions to discredit and contradict his arguments which were in support of workers rights.

Close friendship

Rajasekaran had cautioned Zainal against accepting the senatorship offer because he saw it as an attempt by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a brilliant strategist, to gag the MTUC.

He also questioned the congress presidents secret dealings with his men in the MTUC general council and working committee without his (Rajasekaran) knowledge.

You look back and see whether I have ever contradicted your statements, mostly made on the spur of the moment.

My statement was intended to help our affiliates who are facing serious problems, and the (Human Resources) Minister and the Industrial Relations Department responded positively.

Unlike you, I am not a politician and I do not look for personal gain, Rajasekaran wrote in the letter, which was a clear offensive against power-crazed Zainal.

The letter touched on a number of outstanding issues and revealed the serious discrepancies which occurred during MTUCs general council and working committee meetings, as well as Zainals dealings with international bodies.

On the labour manifesto, Rajasekaran pointed out Zainals continuous involvement in opposition political parties despite announcing that he would remain apolitical when he quit from Semangat 46.

Rajasekaran wrote: When you reneged on your promise and joined Umno, you told me that you joined for the sake of Sdr Anwar Ibrahim. Even then, when newspapers questioned me, I said that MTUC recognises individual rights to join any political party.

They asked me, not because I was MTUC sec-gen, but because they knew of our close friendship and my support for you.

Gag MTUC

He said Zainal also made a complete turnaround and issued opportunistic statements after his appointment as senator which undermined the congress efforts to draw up a workers demand for the perusal of all political parties.

You did this by convening clandestine meetings to direct a group of general council members to obstruct the attempt to draw up workers minimum demands, and confused young and upcoming leaders who loudly echoed your directive that the MTUC constitution does not allow us to draw up workers minimum demands.

This most unethical episode on your part confirmed my fear that the senatorship was intended to gag the MTUC, wrote Rajasekaran.

Zainal was also reminded of the circumstances leading to his appointment to the International Labour Organisation where he had purportedly told the ICFTU ( International Confederation of Free Trade Unions) that his appointment to the governing body would strengthen his position and influence as an MTUC leader.

His argument was that he would have better bargaining power in negotiations with the government to get the important conventions ratified.

You also told ICFTU that as you were planning to retire soon, the appointment would be a personal honour, read the letter.

Leave me no choice

Accusing Zainal of racism, Rajasekaran said in the letter that until 15 months ago, he had held Zainal in high regard and had, in fact, praised him for his strong resentment of racism.

You have now changed and have often encouraged racism in your clandestine meetings, he said, adding that it was a group of Indians, including AJ Patrick, AH Ponniah and himself who had demanded PP Narayanan to give way to Zainal, a Malay.

Reiterating his loyalty to a friend, Rajasekaran said he had readily refused to support Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud who was nominated to contest the post of secretary-general in the 1999 MTUC elections even when approached by several of his supporters.

I told them frankly that I cannot betray my friend. And I did not betray you.

I was told at that time it was on your advice the Perodua Union nominated Syed Shahir. I did not believe it then but I dont doubt it anymore.

Rajasekarans letter also listed 13 local and international organisations in which Zainal held key positions, most of which were obtained at his (Zainals) own request.

Rajasekaran also chided Zainal for his baseless accusations of indiscipline when Zainal himself instructed the staff to leave the office without informing the former first.

You have taken advantage of my tolerance. After what you have done at the last general council meeting, I cannot be tolerant anymore.

As an illustration of his loyalty for Zainal, Rajasekaran said he was untruthful to the MTUC general council after coming under severe attack for establishing the congress Legal Defense Fund, but added that he would apologise in writing and give full details of the fund.

I dont cherish fighting against a friend whom I have regarded more as a brother but you leave me no choice, the letter concluded, indirectly setting the stage for a major showdown at the MTUC elections next week.