The power-sharing deal between Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Zainal Rampak and deputy president Mohd Shafie BP Mammal has raised questions of whether it will be an automatic succession.

At the close of the final MTUC election nomination list last week, Zainal had offered to resign and make way for his deputy of about seven years to take over from Jan 1, 2003, prompting concerns that certain individuals are brokering the future leadership.

But according to Rule 7(8) of the MTUC constitution, only the General Council has the power to fill vacant seats if a candidate withdraws before election, or resigns as in the Zainal-Mohd Shafie deal.

When contacted, MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran acknowledged that the constitution disallows automatic succession but clarified that the established practice in the congress usually prevails.

In this case, tradition shows that the General Council will take cognizance of the pact and although it is not bound by that arrangement, it will most likely be influenced by it.

This is because the fact that Mohd Shafie has been the congress deputy president since 1994 will have a bearing, Rajasekaran said.

He said the only automatic aspect in this is Mohd Shafie becoming the acting president upon Zainals resignation pending a decision by the General Council for a permanent replacement.

Traditionally, the deputy president has, most often than not, moved to the top through elections, he added.

Seeking formal endorsement

Mohd Shafie, the National Union of Telekoms Employees president, was reported yesterday saying that his pact with Zainal will be forwarded to the General Council at the 35th Triennial Delegates Conference on March 5 and 6 for formal endorsement in the event the presidents post is not contested.

Incumbent Zainal, the Transport Workers Union president, is being challenged by National Union of Transport Equipment Allied Industry Workers executive secretary Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud for the fourth time.

Syed Shahir was narrowly defeated by six votes in his first attempt against Zainal in 1994. However, he lost by a wider margin in the last two encounters.

The upcoming hotly-contested triennial election will see about 600 delegates from 121 affiliates representing 500,000 members casting their votes on who shall lead the largest umbrella body for private sector unions.