A medical centre in Selangor which ceased operations overnight after 10 months in business has not only left its staff in limbo, but may have also breached some laws, said trades union secretary general G Rajasekaran today.

Rajasekaran said that the Teluk Panglima Medical Centre had suddenly ceased operations on June 23 without informing its workers - two doctors, eight nurses and three administrative staff - who have since lodged a complaint to the Labour Department.

"And more importantly, the action of the centre could also be in breach of law as they have failed to abide by the Employment Act to inform the nearest Labour Department of their impending closure," Rajasekaran told malaysiakini .

He added that the centre has also breached the Employees Provident Fund Act by not making any EPF contributions for its staff although regular deductions were made.

Complaints to ministry, MMA

Rajasekaran said that the union will be lodging a complaint to the Malaysian Medical Association and the Health Ministry on Wednesday to investigate the conduct of the medical centre.

"We also want the ministry and the Registrar of Companies to black list the directors involved in the centre," he added.

Rajasekaran said that although the place of business was called Teluk Panglima Medical Centre, its registered name was Magnacity Sdn Bhd. He added that attempts to contact the founder and director of the company have been futile.

Rajasekaran also wants the EPF to take immediate steps to advise the Immigration authorities to bar the directors of Magnacity from leaving the country.

Empty building

Relating to the chain of events right up to the disappearance of the centre, Rajasekaran said it started operation in a three-storey building on Aug 1 last year with 13 staff.

"They had not started accepting in-patients and was only concentrating in providing out care treatment."

"On Saturday June 21, all staff who reported for duty were told to return home and report for work on Monday, June 23.

'However when they came back for work on Monday, the centre appeared deserted. All medical equipments had disappeared and the entire building was emptied," said Rajasekaran.

Labour Dept probing

He added that none of the management personnel was around to give any information to the staff and that there was no indication at all that business was to cease that day.

The union leader said that he was approached by the workers after this.

"They have not been paid salaries from May and June and that no EPF contributions were made although deductions were taken from their salaries," added Rajasekaran.

He said that the workers were still awaiting development from the Labour Department following their complaint.