Two days to go before the hotly-contested Malaysian Trades Union Congress elections, the legitimacy of a top-level candidate was put in doubt today after it was learnt that his application for voluntary separation scheme (VSS) was approved.

National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) president Johar Sulaiman's application for VSS has been accepted by the Kuantan branch of the United Overseas Bank Bhd, and his last day is March 31. Johar is contesting the post of vice-president (private sector) in the MTUC elections.

NUBE general secretary J Solomon, when contacted today, confirmed this.

"He told me that he had received the letter from his bank today accepting his VSS application, and his last day will effectively be March 31," he said.

"He will still be the NUBE president and sole candidate [from the union] in the MTUC elections until March 31 and what happens should he be elected as the vice-president (private sector), I cannot say.

"It will depend on the MTUC's constitutional provision."

'Non-issue'

MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran, busy with last-minute preparations for tomorrow's opening ceremony of the triennial delegates conference, said he was unaware of Johar's status.

"As of today, he is still the legitimate candidate and if he wins, (MTUC's) general council will fill the vacancy later (should Johar step down)."

He said that the legitimacy of Johar's candidacy was not an issue at present.

However, an NUBE national executive council member said on condition of anonymity that Johar should notify the MTUC and withdraw from the election if his eventual departure from his bank and by virtue of that, the union, is confirmed.

"It is not proper for him to contest after knowing his status. The decent thing for him to do is withdraw immediately and let someone else take over.

"A later replacement for Johar means that the selection process will not be open to delegates."

Open threats

Meanwhile, nominees for the upcoming NUBE branch elections in Kedah and Negeri Sembilan are facing open threats and harassment by members of the incumbent committees, including a national executive council member.

The bank union's elections will see Johar's Camp A allies defending their positions against Solomon's Camp B.

Sources said chaos reigned in the two states throughout the day when members of the incumbent committees were said to be "going around threatening nominees physical harm".

"The perpetrators are going around asking the nominees to withdraw from the race and have even volunteered to send the so-called withdrawal letter on their behalf," a source revealed.

Malaysiakini was told that the perpetrators also threatened to blacklist the nominees by "fixing them up in the banks" or "getting them transferred out" if they don't withdraw.

"A council member was even heard issuing threats along racial lines and spreading blatant lies blaming Solomon for funds mismanagement in the NUBE," the sources said, adding that such underhand tactics show the extent of the incumbents' desperation and fear of losing their positions.

'Fireworks'

'Fireworks' are expected in this year's elections with three teams vying for 12 positions in the KL branch. There are also two teams each in Johor Baru, Seremban, Ipoh and Kedah.

Sources say KL NUBE members had put together a 'Dream Team', and the nominees are "pretty much decided on their decisions to challenge the incumbents", one of the reasons why they are not being harassed or threatened openly.

So far, Camp B has registered uncontested victories in the Penang and Klang branches which have an estimated total of 5,000 members.

Nominations will be finalised tomorrow.