As the two National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) factions prepare their strategies for the 'exploratory meeting' in Putrajaya with the Human Resources Ministry next Wednesday, one group is disturbed by the minister's latest remark.

Mohd Noor Basir, leader of the group opposing the Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid faction, was unhappy with Dr Fong Chan Onn's statement yesterday that they were agreeable to a fresh election to determine a new line-up.

"I deny that statement. We have not yet agreed to any proposal or suggestion from the ministry since next week's meeting is only a fact-finding session," he said when contacted in Seremban today.