The Human Resources Ministry will appoint a chartered auditor to audit all the accounts of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE).

According to a Bernama report today, its minister Dr Fong Chan O­nn said it was time for the ministry to take action to safeguard the interest of the public, namely NUBE members.

He said the ministry's director-general of Trades Union Affairs Department would be directed to invoke Section 57 (3) of the Trades Union Act 1959 to appoint the auditor as soon as possible.

"The appointment is related to the several issues of late raised by the NUBE," he was quoted as saying.

The minister added that the appointment of the auditor was to ensure that union's land and fund were not misappropriated.

Fong said all NUBE accounts would be scrutinised within a month and if discrepancies were found, the ministry would carry out further investigation.

"If there are basis for action, the Trades Union Affairs Department will take further action including bring parties concerned to court," he said.