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The refusal of the Speaker to adjourn the Dewan to discuss the impending picket by the MTUC is unreasonable

Media Statement
by M Kula Segaran

(Parliament House,  Tuesday): I gave notice to the Speaker of Dewan on 24/9/04 that I intend to move a motion for the house to be adjourned to discuss a matter of definite public importance. The motion reads as follows:

Re: Motion under the Peraturan Majlis Mesyuarat 18(1).

 

Under the Peraturan Majlis Mesyuarat 18(2), I intend to move a motion that the Dewan be adjourned for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance:

 

“It is motioned that the Dewan permits and allows the Member of Parliament of Ipoh Barat constituency, M.Kula Segaran, to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, being, problems faced by workers in Malaysia brought to the attention of the Minister by the labour movement (Malaysian Trade Union Congress).

 

"It is to be noted that though there were numerous memorandums and appeals to the Human Resource Ministry and the Prime Minister to curb the problem of anti-union activities, denial of union recognition and collective bargaining, inordinate delay in settlement of dismissal cases and trade disputes there is still an apparent increase in the said problems for the past 5 years.

"With the lack of concern in these areas by the relevant authorities, there exists industrial disharmony in the country. The deterioration of the work force is also seen to be apparent thus giving a bad impact on the economy and stability of the country.

"Labour is one of the most important components for the progress of any nation in the economic and industrial prosperity.  The lack of attention given by the relevant authorities has brought numerous problems which in turn has caused a great deal of discomfort and inconvenience to the working class.

"Continuous inaction and ignorance by the government has resulted in the upcoming picket nationwide on the 28th September 2004. This to protest against erosion of trade union rights etc. The MTUC have also decided to have a Perhimpunan Pergerakan Buruh nationwide to impress upon the Government the seriousness of the problems facing workers and the labour movement.

"The attitude of the relevant authorities shows and implicates that they indirectly support union busting and also their ignorance towards the problem.

"Human resources are one of main components of the country towards building a developed country. The determinations of the relationship between the country and the workers to a better understanding of the two groups have to be considered seriously .Disregard and disrespect shown by the authorities in refusing to act and understand the problems faced by the working class will affect each and everyone.”

Regrettably by way of a letter dated 27thSeptember04 the Speaker Tun Zahir has rejected my motion in chambers thus disallowing me to read the motion in the Dewan.

 

Speaker has listed out 4 main reasons to deny my motion which are as follows:

  1. Human Resources Minister (HRM) it seems has had various dialogues with MTUC on the matters raised by the Unions.

  2. With the above dialogues held HRM are in the process of preparing various amendments to the Industrial Relations Act and on the Trade Union Acts and all these will settle the issue of recognition of new Unions from 2 years to 6 months

  3. Also the HRM will table various labour related acts to be amended which will address matters raised by the MTUC

  4. On the issues of unfair dismissal of workers HRM has established a Task Force which has settle 6000 cases at the IR office to settle the back logg cases

 

Thus the Speaker reasons, in view of the explanations given, my motion ought to be rejected.

 

I regret the speaker has decided to exercise  his powers under Standing Order 18(7) to reject this motion. Although 18(7) have 3 limbs he did not specify which one of the limbs he is relying on to reject the motion.  

 

Thus today I raised to the Deputy Speaker who was presiding the Dewan that the factors relied by the Speaker to reject my motion is unacceptable.

 

Further the Speaker should not just rely on the Ministers assertions alone. If the motion were to be allowed surely the Minister can be made to explain as to way the MTUC with all the explanations as enumerated above the MTUC is still proceeding with pickets around the country.

 

A good opportunity for the Minister to be made accountable to the house and the country has been lost by the refusal to debate the motion which is of public importance.

 
(28/9/2004)

* M.Kula Segaran MP for Ipoh Barat and DAP National Vice Chairman