Railwaymen's Union of Malaya (RUM) president Abdul Razak Md Hassan has accused Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) president Elias Kadir of abusing his power by demanding the former apologise to him daily for three months.

Abdul Razak said Elias ( at right in pix ) instructed the apology - for leading a picket against him  - be done through Facebook and and the 'Suara RUM' blog.

“At first it was for a year, then it was discounted to six months, and then three months. It is illogical and does not make sense.

“Where are there any laws providing for an apology for three months? Which law is he using? In our country, the longest was only three days,” he told Malaysiakini today, claiming that Elias’ demands are illegal.

Abdul Razak ( right ) said instead of apologising daily to the KTMB president in order to get resinstated to KTMB, he was opting to remain unemployed.

Razak was one of 97 KTMB staff sacked after the RUM organised a protest against Elias on May 2, 2012 calling for his resignation.

'Survive for my union'

There were reinstated from Nov 20, 2014 onwards on condition they signed a memorandum of understanding with the company. The union, however, wants the group to be reinstated to their original posts unconditionally as it is within their legal right to picket.

As to the other 96 workers, Abdul Razak said they were not required to make an apology and were reinstated without any salary cuts. He, however, was unsure with regards to other benefits such as bonuses and Hari Raya aid.

Razak said he has been unemployed for five months and is the only one of the 97 who hasn’t returned to work adding he is finding it difficult to find supplementary income to make ends meet.

“But there is no other choice, I have to survive for my union. This is the struggle; if you’re afraid of being thrown about by the waves, don’t build your house by the sea,” he said.

He said with regards to RUM, it was business as usual.