The call by some members of the National Union of Bank Employees for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to intervene in the union's long-running crisis has received the support from at least one of the feuding factions.

A leader from the group aligned to NUBE general secretary J Solomon said today that although they were not previously aware of the call by the members, they have no objection to the premier being involved in settling the dispute.

"If that is what the members want, we will agree with it," said assistant general secretary G Umapathy when contacted today.

Unhappy with minister

According to a Malay Mail report today, the NUBE members made the request for the prime minister's intervention as they were dissatisfied by the decision of Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn to renew checks into the union's accounts although inspections had already been carried out.

One of the key issues in the dispute is over the missing RM1.2 million in union funds that was said to be removed by a rival group.

The Malay Mail further reported that although the NUBE accounts had already been audited, the Human Resources Ministry has refused to reveal the names of those involved in siphoning the money from the union's accounts.

Frustrated by the latest development, union members from Batu Pahat, Pagoh, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor said in their statement to the newspaper that they found the ministry's decision to be an "unhealthy practice".

"We are very angry to note Fong's statement that he is unable to reveal the names of those involved in the misappropriation of the RM1.2 million...Why the need for Fong's office to check the accounts when it was already audited?" they said.

Concrete action

Meanwhile, other members of the union also questioned the delay in holding fresh elections for the union to resolve the bitter leadership feud between Solomon's faction and the opposing faction led by Muhammad Fauzi Shamsuddin.

Reports on the issue had cast the blame on Fauzi's camp for allegedly refusing to agree to the polls.

Asked to comment on this, Umapathy reiterated that Solomon's supporters are ready and prepared to face elections and it is the rival group which is against the move.

"My question is this: Why is the minister not pushing for elections to be held? I believe that he can do so if he wants to. We welcome the ministry's efforts in the matter including investigating the accounts but we would like it to be speeded up," he said.

Umapathy said Fong should not only issue statements on the matter but concrete action should be taken so as to avoid further delay in resolving the dispute.

Contacted today, Fauzi said he was unable to comment on the Malay Mail report as he has not read it.