Pos Malaysia Union is seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to seek clarifications over plans by Khazanah Nasional Bhd to divest its shares in Pos Malaysia.

At a press conference today, union president Suffian Unoss said the meeting should also include representatives from the Economic Planning Unit and Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

“We want the primer to explain what is the direction of Pos Malaysia post divestment and what strategies will be undertaken by the possible bidders who will take over Pos Malaysia,” said Suffian.

Suffian said the meeting was necessary because the 15,000-strong union had been kept in the dark over the proposed deal and the union members are demanding answers.

“We are very disappointed that the unions are not consulted before the announcement,” said Suffian.

Pay hike small issue

He was speaking to the press after an emergency meeting held by the Congress of Unions in Government-linked Companies.

Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) have been instructed to expedite divestments in GLCs as part of the government’s New Economic Model.

Khazanah, the government investment arm, would divest its 32 percent controlling stake by year end, effectively turning the GLC into a wholly privately owned company.

Asked about the 11 to 19 percent rise in wages for Pos Malaysia workers, Suffian brushed it off, adding that it was a small matter compared to the sale of the shares.

“Even though it is a good news for our workers, we are still disappointed as the unions were not consulted before deciding on the pay hike,” he added.