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.

Both groups received the letter calling for the meeting yesterday.

Agree to road-map

Earlier this week, the two groups were summoned separately by the ministry's special team, headed by secretary-general Dr Mohd Yahaya Nordin, for an informal discussion to map out possible solutions for the two-year dispute which split the 28,000-strong bank workers union.

"What we had agreed on that day (informal session) is for the ministry to draw up a road-map for a possible resolution, nothing more," added Mohd Noor.

"However, we are looking forward to the meeting next week because we want this matter to be resolved once and for all. It has gone on for far too long."

Labour Department director-general Ismail Rahim, one of the special team's three members, said they were doing their best to resolve the issue the earliest possible.

"We are exploring all possibilities. As this is a very complicated matter, I don't expect it to be resolved after just one meeting because there are many issues to be thrashed out first," he said when contacted this afternoon.

"Nonetheless, we will try (to reach an agreement) even if it takes 10 such meetings."

Ismail said the meeting was to bring both sides together and agree on a common and acceptable solution.

Local dailies today quoted Fong as saying that the two groups had no reason to worry about a fresh election if they really represent their members as claimed.

The Sept 3 meeting is the first of a series of negotiations aimed at breaking the impasse between both factions that began in 2001.

Last week, Fong hinted at a possible de-registration of the union if the last-ditch attempt at resolving the leadership tussle and allegations of financial mismanagement proves futile.

'Illegal spending' claim

Mohd Noor said the ministry has also not given a copy of the external audit report which forms the basis of a police report by the Department of Trade Union Affairs against the NUBE for alleged financial mismanagement.

He said the ministry should clarify whether the external audit investigation also covered the expenses by rivals whom he claimed had "illegally spent" about RM3 million since April 2002, when the union's accounts were frozen.

"As per our findings, despite the freezing of the union's accounts in Bumiputera-Commerce Bank, Solomon (who is aligned to Abdul Jalil) has continued to illegally withdraw members' money.

"He has no authority or legal standing because the court has not yet declared him the general secretary."

Mohd Noor said the High Court order granted to Solomon for a stay against the director-general of trade union's declaration on the official line-up of the last NUBE exco doesn't automatically give him the post.

"In fact, we have applied to strike out the stay order and our lawyer has already sent a letter of urgency asking the court to hear the matter as soon as possible."

Barely 24 hours after the department's police report, Abdul Jalil's faction filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Agency in Kuala Lumpur against Zulkifly Abdullah ( photo ), the director-general of trade union, alleging negligence in discharging his official duties.

Abdul Jalil Hamid's team currently operates from the union's registered premises in Lebuh Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Drop conditions

When contacted, Solomon said they did not mind going back for a fresh election as "we have always wanted that".

Both groups want the other to return the union funds - a precondition that Fong wants to be dropped before talks begin next week.

Speaking to reporters after the weekly post-cabinet briefing yesterday, he reportedly asked both sides to drop whatever conditions that might derail efforts towards a fresh election.

He said the prolonged infighting was a major concern to the ministry and that it was keen to know transaction and deposit details pertaining to the fees both sides are still collecting from NUBE members.