A former technician has claimed that all it took for him to lose the job he had held for 11 years at a Japanese-owned glass manufacturing factory was just one Facebook status update regarding his injured colleague’s condition.

Zakaria Jambri, 32, said he had visited his friend whose right hand was injured in a workplace-related incident on May 19.

"I was just worried about the condition of my friend.

"I know there is a (company) procedure against sharing of certain photographs so I only updated my status on Facebook without naming the company," he told reporters outside the factory's premises in Batu 3, Shah Alam.

Zakaria, however, claimed that he was blamed and made the "black sheep" for another person who had shared a related photograph.

Zakaria, who now earns his living as a freelance writer, said he had raised the matter during a domestic inquiry proceeding on June 2 where he was accused of having allegedly tarnished the company's reputation.

He was subsequently served with a termination letter on June 15.

A group of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists and Zakaria's former colleagues had earlier today held a brief protest to demand a meeting with the factory's human resources director.

"I would like to tell all the workers who are 'smiling' in there (the factory), your fate will be the same as Zakaria if you do not stand up for your rights," said PSM Youth chief Khalid Mohd Ismath.

He also later tried to negotiate with the security guards for the group to be allowed in and meet with the relevant officers.

Both Zakaria and Khalid were yesterday summoned by Shah Alam police to have their statements recorded in connection with the protest.

PSM's potential candidate for the Sri Muda state seat, Abdul Razak Ismail, meanwhile pledged that the party would bring Zakaria's case all the way to the Human Resources Ministry.

"We will defend you! We will ensure that the company will be responsible for what they have done," he stressed.

For about 30 minutes, the group of about 15 people chanted "Long live the workers!" (Hidup pekerja) and raised placards with pro-workers' slogans.

Several delivery trucks and cars passing through the industrial area also honked in support of the group.

When contacted, the factory's general line operator claimed that no officers were available for comments until Monday next week.

A group of around 10 security guards had closed the main gate at around 2.45pm and barred anyone from entering the factory's premises.

Malaysiakini is withholding the factory's name pending an official response.