The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) does not wear any baju politik (it is non-partisan) and is striving to become a more professional labour centre, said its recently elected president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud.

A strong believer in both politics and professionalism, the 53-year-old veteran unionist said it is important to have both in an organisations, referring to the winds of change drifting through the corridors of the MTUC.

"How do you mobilise workers in an organisation with a lot of people holding a lot of political beliefs, political inclinations who could be members of A, B, C or even non-partisan?" he asked during a exclusive interview recently.

"The fact that they are here (in the MTUC) brings with it the question of how to consolidate them into a force to be reckoned with. That's the problem we face now, I think."

To Syed Shahir, politics and professionalism leads to greater political consciousness but without the baju politik .

"This is my aspiration. I'd love to see workers in this country becoming more politically-conscious. I want it to be a situation where workers in general know their rights and know what they want.

"They can make a lot of difference to their future, their life and their family if they know their rights, and that is what we're saying."

Critical thinking

Citing a visit to Kelantan early this year to officiate the opening of the MTUC office in Kota Baru, he said he had explained the distinction between baju politik and professionalism to members.

"I told them that I also did not wish to be a hypocrite (by claiming to be apolitical), but that I cannot impose my political beliefs on others as long as I'm the MTUC president. Otherwise people will accuse me of misusing my position."

At the same time, he said, it was his right as a citizen to join or associate himself with any political party of his choice. He is a member of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

"So, you can be a member of PAS, Umno, Keadilan...the choice is yours, but when it comes to workers, we must all be together. That is most important."

Asked if he would accept a datukship or senatorship of offered, Syed Shahir said that if it ever came to that, he would leave the decision to the working committee.

"Should that happen, I think I'll have to bring it up with my committee. It will be a collective decision and I don't know which way it will go. If they are not in favour, then that decision will stand," he said.

"If given a choice, I'd prefer not to accept it as titles are conferred for the position you hold, in my case, as the MTUC president. But since I was put here by the membership, I'd rather avoid all of this because it's a distraction."

Touching on political consciousness, Syed Shahir, who first tasted politics and social activism as a youth, said it would be a tremendous help for workers to address daily problems such as price hikes on goods and services.

"For example, they would know why certain statements are being made by certain people. Being politically-conscious encourages more critical thinking and more articulate arguments could be raised."

In urging workers to close ranks for greater unity and strength, he said he did acknowledge the practical problems they face daily.

"Would they have time to read or watch television when they are working most of the time? The responsibility and burden to care for the family is tremendous.

"They have to handle schoolgoing children, or those in college and university. Children must also be fed and housed. It's a very tough life for workers out there."

Deploring situations where workers are taken for a ride, Syed Shahir said that should not be the case "because they are the majority".

"We're talking about a workforce of almost 10 million, but where are they?"

"I think it's the duty of people like us, with a little bit of knowledge, a little bit of courage, a little bit of conviction to bring about some kind of consciousness or awareness among the majority."

Right track

In reiterating the MTUC's sole agenda, he said priority would be given to the handling of issues professionally without being partisan.

"Professionalism does not necessarily relate to academic qualification. It's more of your attitude, conviction, practice and conduct," he said, referring to the MTUC's thrust to renew itself.

"If we push for it for the sake of the organisation and the workers, then I think we're in the right track regardless of whether anyone else shares your political ideology."

In addition to politics and professionalism, Syed Shahir also spoke about transparency and accountability within the MTUC.

"We have to have to practise what we preach. In other words, we cannot tell others to be transparent and not be transparent enough ourselves.

"This is the kind of leadership we want. We have to be open and clear on what we're doing. Only then can we tell our constituents, in case we fail, that we had tried our level best," he said.

"It is also about consensus. Everything must be decided collectively which means that all of us are subject to public scrutiny."

And to gain workers' confidence, he said, the MTUC must go to the grassroots once more.

Q&A: Professionalism over politics in labour issues

Tomorrow: Outstanding, often thorny issues