Court-backed JSC has authority over MTUC, chairman reaffirms
Solomon explains that the JSC was established through a Consent Order of the Court of Appeal, which authorised it to conduct the SDC and oversee MTUC affairs within a set timeframe. – Photo via Facebook
KUCHING (June 5): Recent claims suggesting that the Joint Special Committee (JSC) lacks the authority to manage the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) are misleading and contradict the Court of Appeal's explicit mandate, said JSC chairman J Solomon.
He explained that the JSC was established through a Consent Order of the Court of Appeal, which authorised it to conduct the Special Delegates Conference (SDC) and oversee MTUC affairs within a set timeframe.
'The JSC has already fixed the date for the SDC and issued circulars to affiliated unions,' Solomon said in a statement today.
He added that the Ministry of Human Resources (MoHR) had acknowledged the JSC's role by officially inviting its members to attend the Labour Day celebrations organised by the government, further recognising the JSC's legitimacy and responsibility in managing MTUC's affairs.
Solomon also criticised MoHR for refusing to submit the JSC-nominated names of Workers' Representatives to the International Labour Conference (ILC), calling the action 'a deliberate act of mischief'.
He stressed that the Court Order had resolved the internal crisis within MTUC and clearly mandated the JSC to manage its administration.
Solomon further alleged that MoHR withheld the workers' representative list from the ILC to avoid scrutiny over the Minister's actions, which he claimed were contrary to Convention 98 regarding interference in collective bargaining process and alleged collusion with employers.
'For the first time since becoming a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1957, Malaysian workers were not represented at the ILO conference,' he said.
He claimed the MoHR's refusal to submit the names was an attempt to prevent discussion about the Minister's conduct at the ILC.
'It is this agenda of MoHR which resulted in the workers of Malaysia not being represented at the ILC,' he added.
Solomon advised individuals and parties against making statements in blind support of the MoHR Minister as such remarks could mislead workers and stakeholders and potentially lead to contempt of court.
MTUC Sarawak has since urged the JSC to resolve the leadership impasse and refrain from issuing statements that could create confusion.
It reaffirmed that the JCS had been granted a specific three-month mandate to conduct the MTUC SDC. J Solomon Joint Special Committee MTUC
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
US, China seal framework deal on trade, rare earths in focus
BEIJING: China confirmed Friday details on the framework of a trade deal with the United States, saying Washington would lift "restrictive measures" while Beijing would "review and approve" items under export controls. A top priority for Washington in talks with Beijing had been ensuring the supply of the rare earths essential for products including electric vehicles, hard drives and national defence equipment. China, which dominates global production of the elements, began requiring export licences in early April, a move widely viewed as a response to blistering tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The two sides agreed after talks in Geneva in May to temporarily lower steep tit-for-tat tariffs on each other's products. China also committed to easing some non-tariff countermeasures but US officials later accused Beijing of violating the pact and slow-walking export licence approvals for rare earths. They eventually agreed on a framework to move forward with their Geneva consensus following talks in London this month. A White House official told AFP on Thursday that the Trump administration and China had "agreed to an additional understanding for a framework to implement the Geneva agreement." That clarification came after the US president told an event that Washington had "just signed" a deal relating to trade with China, without providing further details. Beijing confirmed on Friday that an agreement had been reached. "It is hoped that the United States and China will meet each other halfway," a spokesperson for the commerce ministry said in a statement. It said both sides had "further confirmed the details of the framework." Under the deal, China "will review and approve applications for the export control items that meet the requirements in accordance with the law." "The US side will correspondingly cancel a series of restrictive measures against China," the commerce ministry said. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that Washington could wrap up its agenda for trade deals by early September, indicating more agreements could be concluded although likely extending past an upcoming deadline. Speaking to Fox Business ahead of a July 9 deadline for steeper US duties to kick in on dozens of economies, Bessent reiterated that there are 18 key partners Washington is focused on pacts with. "If we can ink 10 or 12 of the important 18, there are another important 20 relationships, then I think we could have trade wrapped up by Labour Day," Bessent said. That holiday falls on September 1. About the July date, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg Television on Thursday that "we're going to do top 10 deals, put them in the right category, and then these other countries will fit behind." Countries have been moving to negotiate and reach trade pacts with Washington to avoid further tariff hikes following a 10 per cent levy Trump imposed on most trading partners in April. Wall Street's major indexes bounced on hopes for deals with China and others. The broad-based S&P 500 hit a new record in a stunning comeback from lows in April, while most stock markets rose in Europe and Asia indexes were mixed. The White House suggested Thursday that the Trump administration could extend the July deadline. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday: "Perhaps it could be extended, but that's a decision for the president to make." She added: "The deadline is not critical." "The president can simply provide these countries with a deal if they refuse to make us one by the deadline," she said.
The Star
15-06-2025
- The Star
Sabah PAS at a crossroads as state polls near
SANDAKAN: As Sabah gears up for its 17th state election, Sabah PAS finds itself at a political crossroads – a Perikatan Nasional component party in the Opposition at federal level, yet friendly with the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition. However, Sabah PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan stressed that the party's political direction remains with Perikatan. 'As of now, I feel I'm still among those who are friendly with GRS because it is part of the government, and that's based on the political history that began in 2020. "As for what will happen in the state election, if I look at the other parties, none of them have made a decision either. ALSO READ: Sabah PAS yet to finalise under which party logo to contest 'Everyone is still looking for friends, coalitions, and so on. In the context of Sabah, I think what's clear is that PAS remains within Perikatan. So any discussions are still centred on Perikatan,' he said after officiating the Karnival Keluarga Sandakan 2025 here on Saturday (June 14). Last month, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party aimed to contest at least six seats in Sabah, possibly under a different logo as part of a broader coalition strategy. Aliakbar, however, said no specific number of seats has been decided, and the party has yet to begin formal negotiations with any potential allies. 'For now, we are focused on strengthening our organisation within Perikatan,' he said. He also cautioned politicians against fanning regional sentiments ahead of the polls, warning that such rhetoric could threaten national unity. ALSO READ: Sabah PAS 'comfortable' with GRS, says state commissioner 'Sometimes, before elections, we act like there's a separation between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. If we keep stirring that, it could lead to bigger conflicts or long-term segregation,' he said. On candidates, Aliakbar said PAS intends to field credible and honest individuals with strong religious grounding and a clear understanding of the responsibility of leadership. 'If politicians don't understand the concept of sin and reward, they could fall into corruption or abuse of power,' he said. Although PAS has yet to win a seat in Sabah, the party will continue its community outreach and leave it to the public to evaluate its performance, Aliakbar said. His appointment as the first PAS-nominated assemblyman in Sabah in 2020 drew criticism from some state leaders and civil society groups, who viewed the party as too extreme for Sabah's multireligious and culturally diverse landscape. ALSO READ: Sabah PAS invites non-Muslims to join as associate members While concerns were raised about the potential impact on social harmony, PAS leaders sought to downplay the backlash, stressing that their priority in Sabah was service and inclusivity. Despite the early controversy, Aliakbar has remained the party's sole nominated assemblyman and continues to openly support the GRS-led state government. PAS became part of the Sabah government following the 2020 state election, when Perikatan aligned with GRS and Barisan Nasional to form the state administration after defeating Parti Warisan. In 2022, following the 15th General Election, Perikatan became the federal Opposition. Its position in Sabah also shifted after Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and several state leaders left Bersatu.
![[UPDATED] Anwar announces one-year levy exemption for all private education institutions](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FHQ-2147483648_%252811%2529_1749871227.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Anwar announces one-year levy exemption for all private education institutions
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has announced a one-year exemption on education levy payments for all private learning institutions, effective Jan 1 next year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the move was aimed at reducing the financial burden faced by institutions across all levels, including preschools, primary and secondary schools, vocational colleges, and institutions of higher learning. "This is to allow these institutions to improve their resources and learning materials. "We want to ensure that our children receive the best possible training because that is the key to success," he said at the launch of National Training Week (NTW) 2025. Anwar said the decision followed extensive input from education and training institutions, which had appealed for support to ease operational pressures. As such, he called on the secretaries-general of the Education and Human Resources Ministries to closely monitor the implementation of the exemption to ensure it achieves its intended objectives. "I urge the relevant ministries to carry out this initiative as effectively as possible," he said. Anwar also reminded high-profit private companies not to neglect their responsibilities towards employees, particularly in terms of remuneration and wage increases. He said the skills and efficiency of private sector workers are highly valuable and deserve to be recognised as key contributors to the country's progress. "Several government-linked companies have already raised salaries, and I thank them. But there are still many skilled workers whose wages should be higher, given their expertise," he said. He added that the announcement aligns with the government's ongoing commitment to equitable economic growth and workforce development, particularly in conjunction with Labour Day.
