MTUC chief mulls legal action against former ally

comments     Susan Loone     Published     Updated

The rift between two top leaders of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress appears to have widened further as one is considering legal action against the other for the contents of a personal letter published in the media recently which contained accusations of "backstabbing and bigotry".

In an interview with malaysiakini today, MTUC president Zainal Rampak said he was upset that the letter from secretary-general G Rajasekaran addressed to him had been leaked to the media.

He questioned why the contents were published so close to the congress' triennial elections to be held on March 6.

"There seems to be a conspiracy. I am asking my lawyers to look into the matter," he said.

According to Zainal, there had been at least five letters issued to him by Rajasekaran in the past, which he had kept in a file.

"This is not the first letter. But I do not want to publicise the problems between us. He (Rakasekaran) can always come to me and talk things over," he said.

"We can always discuss issues in the best interest of the workers' movement," he added.

On Saturday, malaysiakini reported that a document had recently surfaced revealing an open split in MTUC as far back as August 2000.

In the five-page letter, Rajasekaran expressed "deep disappointment and unhappiness" over Zainal's attitude and actions.

'Changed attitude'

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

Rajasekaran claimed Zainal, his once-close ally and long-time comrade and friend, wanted to be surrounded by 'yes' men since his government appointment.

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

When contacted today, Rajasekaran said the confidential letter was about issues affecting MTUC and was not intended to "put down" Zainal's personal conduct.

He denied leaking the letter to the press and said he did not know why the contents were published as the elections were approaching.

"The letter was not intended to run down Zainal or create a breakdown in our relationship," Rajasekaran said. He also denied not approaching Zainal to iron out their problems.

"A close colleague and mutual friend had arranged a meeting sometime in May last year, but Zainal did not turn up," he said.

'Ungrateful'

Rajasekaran said Zainal was "ungrateful" when in an interview with a local Malay daily recently he said no one came to his aid when he was accused of criminal breach of trust in 1994 for misappropriation of funds of the Transport Workers' Union of which he was president.

"This really shows the person's character. To say that nobody was there was wrong. During that time, we went out to members and explained matters on his behalf," said Rajasekaran.

"I personally wrote a letter to seek overseas funding so that we can engage lawyers to defend him. I was criticised by my own colleagues who questioned [my actions as] I did not get the approval of the general committee," said Rajasekaran.

In the interview with Utusan Malaysia , Zainal also said that he could not work with Rajasekaran anymore.

Rajasekaran said that Zainal's remarks amounted to "disrespecting the decision of the congress".

"We may put up our candidates and campaign before the elections but when candidates are elected all have to come and work together for the sake of the movement.

"We are not like a political party. All positions in MTUC are elected," he added.



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