MTUC, CUEPACS and Public Sector Unions Fail To Protest Threats of Disclinary Action to Public Sector Workers that take part in Peaceful Assembly?

Disappointing when the Malaysian Trade Union Congress(MTUC), CUEPACS (the coalition representing unions of public sector workers, and the public sector worker trade unions did not condemn the THREATS of disciplinary actions(including termination) made by Ali Hamsa the Chief Secretary of the government against public sector workers if they participate in the BERSIH 5 and /or 'Red Shirt' peaceful assembly. This is certainly a violation of workers' rights and the rights of Malaysian.

New Straits Times Online reported Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa as saying today that civil servants who take part in either the Bersih 5 or Red Shirts rally will face disciplinary action, including termination and salary deductions.

SUHAKAM(Malaysian Human Rights Commission) has already condemn this action...

Suhakam: Penjawat awam ada hak berhimpun secara aman? Salah menghalang seseorang melaksanakan hak dengan UGUTAN tindakan disiplin?

Abdullah Sani, Pemangku Presiden MTUC

The silence of the Trade Unions is embarrassing - What good is Trade Unions if they do not  take a stand - a public stand on such isuues. Later, they may tells us that they expressed their feelings 'in secret' to the Chief Secretary and maybe the relevant Minister...

There may be some justification if the government tells the police and other security forces not to take part in these peaceful assemblies - as they will have to work on that day to ensure that all goes well - and there is no physical clashes..or breach of peace - BUT there is no justification for a blanket prevention of all Public Sector workers from exercising their right of peaceful assembly...

The government, as employer, should be setting the example for other employers - and, as such it makes it an important issue for Trade Unions to take a stand.

By this threat of disciplinary action if workers take part in an activity outside working hours is a very WRONG. No employer should dictate the life of the worker outside working hours - it is the worker's right to join any political parties, be involved in any peaceful assemblies, have the full freedom of expression and opinion as any other Malaysian. Being a public servant (penjawat awam) does not mean giving up of certain personal human rights and becoming a '2nd class citizen' - with no right to have a negative opinion of the Prime Minister or the government of the day, and no right to participate in a peaceful assembly like BERSIH 5...

Soon other employers will follow the government - and will start making threats and even taking  'Disiplinary Action' against their workers because they participated in some peaceful assembly or exercised their freedom of expression/opinion...In fact, it did already happen in one of the GLC(government-linked company) - see

What happened to the 18 workers terminated by DRB HICOM subsidiaries?

Why is CUEPACs, Public Sector Worker Unions and the MTUC Silent? FEAR - If so, there is a serious need for workers to think about finding STRONGER leaders for their UNIONs who will act without fear or favour to uphold worker rights in Malaysia...

We shall see if these Unions will come out soon with at the very least a Public  Statement and stand on this issue.