Come July 17, a new leadership will helm the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) but some members already fear a last-minute nullification given the tumultuous history of the last four years.

In addition to alleged administrative hiccups in the list of NUBE members who are eligible to vote, there is also concern about the eligibility of leaders sacked by their banks to contest.

A Seremban NUBE branch member who declined to be named said the status of some key leaders who were sacked by their employers early last year remained unclear.

On Jan 6, 2004, Muhammad Fauzi Shamsuddin was sacked by Eon Bank Bhd for allegedly going absent without leave while 10 others, including J Solomon ( left ), were sacked on April 29 by BCB Bhd for alleged acts of misconduct.

Muhammad Fauzi and Solomon were NUBE president and general-secretary until Oct 29, 2001 when the latter was unceremoniously removed from his post. Both are key candidates representing rival factions in the upcoming NUBE polls.

Speaking to malaysiakini today, the member asked whether expelled leaders can contest either directly or through proxies.

"Right now, we're only seeing major proxy fights. This is happening in Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and Penang," said the NUBE member, adding that the DGTU should officially clarify the matter.

"How can they fill the nomination form complete with place of employment? We don't want to be stuck in another legal mess later if someone decides to challenge the results."

DGTU Mohd Zubir Mohd Basri could not be reached for comment.

Campaigning

According to several members close to Muhammad Fauzi's team, they have visited all major nine branches in the peninsula.

Overall, three groups are vying for seats in the 12-member branch committee and the coveted principal office-bearers line-up.

Besides Muhammad Fauzi's Pasukan Unity and Solomon's Barisan NUBE, a smaller group led by A Prathiba Raj and Toh Seng Hock, believed to be aligned to Muhammad Fauzi's faction, is selling 'neutrality' to penetrate the Kuala Lumpur branch.

However, members felt the incumbents "still have an upper hand".

"But the trick would be to swing the fence-sitters to our side," said a member aligned to one of the two major factions.

"Although the other group is laying its groundwork, we can easily neutralise the members who are still unsure of who to support."

There were also claims that entire NUBE memberships in Public Finance Bhd and Hong Leong Bank Bhd were missing from the membership list announced by Mohd Zubir two weeks ago.

Scores more claimed the same, and that their names were misplaced under other branches.

Muhammad Fauzi could not be reached as he was not answering his telephone.

'Axed members can contest'

Contacted later, Solomon said sacked members could still contest because "we're still workmen".

"Until the dispute over the dismissal is resolved, either with the employer or through the industrial court, nothing bars a member from standing for election. This is not an issue," he said.

He said his team, led by Abdul Jalil Hamid, have visited most of the branches to date and will continue meeting members until polling day.

"I'll be in KL for the next two weeks meeting members in all the banks. The response has been good and I hope that all of it is translated into votes on July 17."

He said many members in the states were confused and unaware of the actual issues of misappropriation and mismanagement of the NUBE.

"A lot of slandering has been going on but we managed to clear the air on those issues, including the action of certain individuals in misappropriating funds and mismanaging the union."

He said members have asked Mohd Zubir to bring forward the time for the triennial general meeting from the scheduled 8pm as "there is a five-hour gap between voting and meeting".

Expressing concerns, Solomon said he found the 'transfer' of 600 names from the KL branch to Klang "rather unusual".

The voting will be held at designated venues under the Human Resources Ministry.