PM: Don’t idolise the bad guys

BUKIT MERTAJAM: People must not change historical facts or glorify communist terrorists, warned Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said no one should hero worship those who were cruel and traitors to the country.

“We have attained independence and lived in harmony. We give authority to the people and we respect the democratic process,” he said.

The country's leaders, added Najib, had used their wisdom to unite Malaysians in overcoming various challenges during independence, including fighting the communists during the Emergency.

He said although Malaysia was friendly with communist nations now that they had left their old ways behind, those during the Emergency had wanted to rule the country.

“The communists back then did not give freedom to the citizens as they were anti-religion. They were cruel and brutally killed people. That is why we opposed them back then,” he said at the national-level Malaysia Aidilfitri-Merdeka Open House at SMK Guar Perahu, Penanti, here yesterday.

In Bagan Datoh, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said it would not use the Internal Security Act (ISA) against PAS deputypresident Mohamad Sabu for his remarks over the Bukit Kepong attack.

“I feel it is not suitable to use the ISA against a politikus (politician),” he said, adding that the Act should only be used in matters related to national security.

“We have to follow procedures and the law. We leave it to the Attorney-General to decide on the next suitable course of action,” he said, adding that he did not think Mohamad's statements would affect the country's security and public order.

“The A-G is independent and the Government will not get involved,” he told reporters after the Bagan Datoh Umno Hari Raya open house.

Hishammuddin also said he would meet the ex-servicemen's association next week over Mohamad's statement.

Bagan Datoh Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Defence Minister, said former servicemen had expressed their disappointment over the remarks.

“Association members will sign a pledge to support the Government and criticise the recognition given by Mohamad to the communists,” he said.

Taken from The Star Online

MTUC urges PM to end NUBE-Maybank row

MTUC urges PM to end NUBE-Maybank row

By G. Manimaran

September 09, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) wants Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to step in and resolve the growing controversy between bank workers and Maybank, the country’s biggest banking corporation.

The 50-year-old National Union of Banking Employees (NUBE) is representing some 5,000 Maybank workers who have been locked in a dispute with their employer since June 2009 over bonus claims and the issue over the legality of an in-house union for non-executive personnel.

“We hope the prime minister will intervene to resolve the issues faced by NUBE, we hope the prime minister will act to rectify this situation,” MTUC president Khalid Atan told The Malaysian Insider.

Wading into the controversy today, Khalid said the MTUC views that the federal government should not allow the setting up of an internal union within an organisation when one already exists at the national level.

“We don’t know if there exists loopholes within labour laws [that enable the setting up of an in-house union]. But from a moral angle, it should not be allowed,” Khalid said.

He declined further comment for fear of being charged with subjudice as the NUBE had taken the dispute with Maybank to court for resolution.

A new union known as the Maybank Non-Executive Employees Union (Mayneu), was set up last October and registered three months later under the Trade Union Act 1959 in January this year to represent the lower-level workers.

The NUBE, which has been portrayed as a stout supporter of the Najib administration, released a statement yesterday doubting the PM’s leadership, saying his popularity has been dwindling among the clerical staff.

Maybank is the largest bank in Malaysia with more than 380 domestic and 90 international branches.

The banking union has 30,000 members and alleged that Najib, who is also in charge of the Finance Ministry, had failed to resolve issues affecting workers in the banking sector, in particular those in Maybank, since it was brought to his attention last year.

NUBE secretary-general J. Solomon attributed Najib’s sliding rating among the clerical staff to the widening income gap, oppression of workers and the increasing inflation rate.

“The silence of the prime minister to act on complaints against Maybank, a government-linked company (GLC), will not endear him to the public,” Solomon said in a statement.

“Maybank is boldly and brutally violating international standards of human rights, making a mockery of Malaysian laws, and making wider an already huge income divide,” he added, and warned the union will go on a roadshow after Razak’s prolonged silence over its pay dispute with the bank.

MTUC’s Khalid refused to be pulled into that argument, saying the umbrella organisation supports those that are able to address the demands and problems of workers.

“We support whichever party that supports our workers’ cause, we support the prime minister if he is able to bring about a positive result to workers’ cause and demands... that is our stand. We support anyone who helps us,” he said.

Taken from Malaysian Insider