Malaysia

 

There are moves to form an Islamic-based labour organization in Malaysia. Malaysia Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud expressed concerns to Malaysiakini, that this would be divisive and counter-productive.

Shahir explained that trade unions are composed of all races and the formation of PPIM would segregate workers of other races.

He said trade unions are the only organizations with a true multi-racial face as compared to Malaysian political parties, the majority of which are race-based.

On the allegation that Deputy Human Resources Minister Abdul Rahman Bakar is behind the formation of PPIM (Malaysian Muslim Workers’ Union), Shahir said he would strongly condemn the ministry if this was true.

PPIM, if approved by the Registrar of Societies, will be the first religion-based labour organisation in Malaysia.

Former MTUC president Zainal Rampak and Malaysian Airlines System Employees Union (Maseu) secretary-general Mustafar Maarof are believed to be the main players behind PPIM. They are said to be influential figures of the anti-Shahir faction in MTUC.

Shahir defeated Zainal for the MTUC presidency in 2004.