The Malaysian Trades Union Congress is worried that the director-general of the trade unions (DGTU) has not taking any steps to conduct fresh elections to determine the legitimate leadership of the beleaguered National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE).

"It has been 26 days since the Court of Appeal ordered the DGTU to conduct elections. Despite the fact that the DGTU has had control of the NUBE headquarters since April 22, we have still not seen any clear steps toward the elections," said MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud in a statement today.

He said MTUC was very concerned about the delay and wondered if the DGTU could conduct the election in the four-month period stipulated by the court.

On April 20, the Court of Appeal, in a landmark ruling , ordered the DGTU to conduct the elections to bring an end to a four-year power struggle for control of the banking sector's union - once the wealthiest and best-run trade union in the country.

Following the decision, the DGTU took over the control of the NUBE headquarters to prepare for the elections.

Syed Shahir said many NUBE members have complained to MTUC about the lack of movement on the DGTU's part.

"NUBE members have reported to MTUC that inquiries made regarding the elections have been frustrating as the only answer they get is that the DGTU has not obtained a sealed court order," he said.

"MTUC is of the view that procuring the sealed court order should not in any way slow down the process of getting the elections started."

Give time-frame

Syed Shahir said that, by now, the DGTU should have in his possession the NUBE membership register to put in place a procedure and deadline for updating it.

The DGTU also should have made public by now a time-frame for the smooth conduct of the elections, he said.

'In particular we want to know when he proposes to issue to all eligible NUBE members at branch level the notice of meetings and invite nominations for the branch committees.

"This is the first phase of the elections. Unfortunately there is no sign so far that any of this is going to happen."

Syed Shahir also expressed concern over claims that the record of subscription money sent to the DGTU by NUBE members is not being updated.

"MTUC believes that this is against the NUBE constitution because the DGTU who is acting in place of the executive council, cannot hold cheques for more than seven days."

He added that MTUC will form an election watch committee to monitor the DGTU's progress and will render whatever assistance required to ensure that polls are conducted within the stipulated period.