Malaysian Trades Union Congress president Zainal Rampak, who made an election promise to resign from his post at the end of the year, announced today that he will "continue to lead MTUC until 2004".

In the midst of supporters at a rally organised by MTUC Selangor division, Zainal said tearfully that he had no other choice but to stay on as the request of numerous members "cannot be ignored".

"I don't want to be an opportunist. I have given this deep thought, so for your interest, I will continue as president of MTUC," he told the 100-odd supporters representing about 40 unions, who gathered at the Transport Workers Union in Petaling Jaya.

"I had wanted some time [to think] but people wanted me to give them an answer now," added the long-serving president, who is also a senator and Umno member.