MTUC representative removed from Socso board

KLANG: The troubled Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has been dealt with another blow with the removal of its representative from the Social Security Organisation (Socso) board.

MTUC’s representative, its secretary-general J. Solomon, was removed from the board effective Dec 31.

“I was given the letter of termination on Dec 30 and I was removed from the board the following day even though my tenure rightfully ends on July 31,2021, ’’ said Solomon.

He said he had no inkling why he was removed.

“I don’t see the reason why I had to be prematurely terminated without reason, ’’ he said.

Solomon was appointed to the board in January 2019 replacing MTUC president Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor.

A member of the Socso board, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, said Solomon was removed because he was disruptive during meetings.

“He would raise a ruckus over everything and was not a team player, ’’ said the board member, adding that it was difficult to bring reforms to Socso when every board meeting was riddled with belligerence.

Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran said there was a request from the board to have Solomon removed.

“We were told that he was not a suitable person to sit on the Socso board and was requested to remove him.

“A new person representing the nation’s private sector workforce has been identified to take Solomon’s place.

“We will announce when the person is appointed, ’’ said Kulasegaran.

Abdul Halim said Solomon’s removal was reminiscent of his own sacking from the board in September 2018 where he was issued with a 24-hour termination notice.

“We are very vocal and Solomon has been made the sacrificial lamb, ” he said.

“He should have been allowed to finish his term.’’

He added that MTUC was not in the position to nominate a representative to sit on the Socso board due to its temporary suspension by the Registrar of Societies for alleged mismanagement.