MOU not legally-binding, challenge Zainals allies
More fuel is added to the ongoing fire between the top two of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) over the No 1 post when a unionist today disputed the certainty of the leadership succession that is the crux of the controversy.
"Even if (president) Zainal (Rampak) decides to step down, what guarantee does (deputy president) Mohd Shafie (BP Mammal) have that he will be the next MTUC president?" congress vice-president Abdul Razak Md Hassan posed at a press conference in Petaling Jaya.
According to Rule 7(8) of the MTUC constitution, only the General Council the congress' highest decision-making body has the power to fill vacant seats if a candidate withdraws before an election or resigns. Even so, the council has traditionally followed the decision made in leadership succession pacts.
Furthermore, Abdul Razak, who heads the Railwaymen's Union of Malaya, claimed that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by both men was non-binding.
"Mohd Shafie must honour and respect the MTUC constitution and not the MOU which has no legal basis," he said when contacted.
"Even though the court may have to decide on the legality of the MOU, we think it is not compulsory to comply with the document."
Earlier at the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) office, Abdul Razak had read out a five-page statement on behalf of 50 affiliates pledging support for Zainal's continued tenure.
Abdul Razak also said the group has also lost faith in MTUC secretary-general G Rajasekaran's ability to be the mediator because "his stand has strayed from his actual function and responsibility".
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