Embattled Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Senator Zainal Rampak claimed that the present 'misunderstanding' with his deputy over a transition of power is the culmination of numerous attempts to bring him down over the past 18 years.

The DAP-turned-Umno member who has been steering MTUC for almost two decades said his opponents should not make an issue out of the "non-binding" document he signed with Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal, dismissing it as without legal basis.

"I am well aware that some quarters are taking advantage of the situation to get rid of me for their own interests," said Zainal when contacted today.

"I just cannot give up my post as I have to abide by the (demands) of my voters who still need me. When they voted for me, they wanted me to be here for a full term and not for only a year, because they believe in me."

Prior to the MTUC triennial election last March, Zainal had made an agreement with Mohamed Shafie. In this, he had promised to serve only a third of a term, in return for Mohamed Shafie not contesting the top post.

Mohamed Shafie had instead contested for the post of deputy, according to the terms of what he described as a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between them.