4 theSun | MONDAY JULY 6 2009

news without borders

Rajasegaran vows to keep MTUC apolitical

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court’s
decision on Friday to reaffirm G.
Rajasegaran as the lawful Malaysian
Trades Union Congress (MTUC)
secretary-general is significant and
would have far-reaching ramifica-
tions for the country’s only labour
centre.
“The victory not only vindicated
him but also prevented the move-
ment from being politicised,” said
MTUC vice-president A. Balasubra-
maniam.
He told Bernama that over the
years, the MTUC was under tremen-
dous pressure from political parties
which wanted to “control” the labour
movement, which represents more
than 1.7 million workers both in the
public and private sector.
“Rajasegaran, being a true blue
trade unionist, had been a great
hindrance to those who had such
intentions,” he said.
Balasubramaniam said if politi-
cians take full control of the move-
ment, workers would suffer because
decisions made pertaining to their
interests would be clouded with
political considerations.
Rajasegaran, the movement’s sec-
retary-general since 1993, was sued
for vote rigging by Abdullah Sani
Abdul Hamid, his opponent in the
last Triennial Delegates Conference
in December. Abdullah Sani is the
Peninsular Malaysia Club Employees
Union secretary-general.
Rajasegaran won with a slim
four-vote majority, garnering 259
votes against Abdullah’s 255 votes.
Meanwhile, Rajasegaran said
he would continue to work for the
betterment of the workers’ move-
ment and keep it free from political
interference. He said in order for the
MTUC to be a strong and credible
union, it must always be apolitical.
Rajasegaran, 67, said he would
not be seeking re-election when his
present term expired in December
2010 as “I want to give an opportu-
nity to the younger group to continue
from where I leave.”
Rajasegaran, who is known as a
“guru” among the country’s trade
union fraternity, had been a trade
unionist since early 1960s and was
a founder of the Metal Industries
Employees Union in 1966 and is now
its executive secretary.
He is also the president of the
International Trade Union Confed-
eration, Asia-Pacific region.

M-bike shop ordered to return

RM50 charge to ‘close account’
by Bernard Cheah
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
GEORGE TOWN: A motorcycle shop
here was ordered to return RM50 to
a photographer with an English daily
who was forced to pay the amount to
“close accounts” with the company
after buying a motorcycle.
Petty Claims Tribunal (TTP)
president Leong May Chan made
the decision on Thursday after Masry
Che Ani, a photographer with theSun
newspaper, submitted the claim
against Cinsoon Motor Sdn Bhd. A
representative of the company who
was present, agreed to the decision.
In his claim, Masry said he bought
a motorcycle about two years ago
from the shop in Jalan Sri Pinang,
Sungai Puyu, and agreed to pay in-
stalments of RM168 per month.
On May 27 this year, he went to
the company to pay the last instal-
ment and get the motorcycle grant.
“I was shocked when I was asked
to pay an extra RM50 to ‘close the ac-
counts’. They said if I did not pay up,
they would not issue the grant.
“To avoid problems, I just paid
the sum but asked for a receipt to be
issued as proof of payment,” he said.
Masry said he then checked
with five other motorcycle shops in
Penanti, Bukit Mertajam and But-
terworth but none of them imposed
similar charges.
“After bringing the issue here (to
tribunal court), the company then
called me three times to solve the
issue, and they have agreed to pay
back my money.
“It is not about the RM50, but I
want this to be a lesson to other con-
sumers,” he said after the decision.

Poor labelling
of electrical
goods
KUALA LUMPUR: The
government should make it
mandatory that electrical and
electronic products sold in
the country displayed accu-
rate labels on usage, voltage
and power consumption.
Water and Energy
Consumers Association of
Malaysia (Wecam) secretary-
general S. Piarapakaran said
in a recent market survey, the
association found many such
products lacking labels while
some were misleading.
He noted labels for wash-
ing machines were hidden
underneath them.
“The government should
make it compulsory to dis-
play such labels prominently Woo launches the
on the products,” he said website while (from left)
yesterday. Khor, Lo and Ee look on.

Buy Malaysian
to help
economy
KOTA KINABALU: The public
needs to change their spend-
ing habits and give priority
to Malaysian-made products
especially in the current glo-
bal economic downturn.
Community Develop-
ment and Consumer Affairs
Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd
Dun said consumers played
important roles in reviving
the local economy.
"The Buy Malaysian
Goods campaign will help
reduce the outward flow
of our currency as well
as improve our country's
economic situation," she
said when launching the
Buy Malaysian Goods expo
at Padang Merdeka, here on
Saturday night.
She added the expo was
a good place to expose local
traders. The event will go on
until tomorrow. – Bernama
1Malaysia values worthwhile,
says ex-MBS boy
KUALA LUMPUR: It was Methodist
Boys Primary School (MBS) Parent-
Teacher Association (PTA)’s Family
Day on Saturday. But buntings of Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s
1Malaysia concept adorning the walls
captured attention.
“No, this is not a political event. The
messages (on the buntings) are just very
meaningful for community develop-
ment,” said ex-MBS boy Datuk Dr Davy
Woo .
Woo, a businessman, said: “1Malaysia
critics either have their own (political)
agenda or just refuse to understand the
values outlined in the concept.
“Take a political stand, study it and
you will see that 1Malaysia is nothing
new. The prime minister just saw it fit
today to focus on the eight values to
steer Malaysia into a strong and united
nation,” he said.
(The eight values outlined to realise
1Malaysia’s concept are: Culture of
Excellence, Perseverance, Humility, Ac-
ceptance, Loyalty, Meritocracy, Educa-
tion and Integrity.)
“Tell me if any of the eight values
are not worth upholding. Isn’t it worth
teaching our children to grow up with
such values?” Woo told theSun after
launching the school’s website.
Woo had helped the school raise
about RM150,000 for its computer labo-
ratory.
Earlier, PTA chairman Ee Guan
Soon said in her address: “This food
and fun fiesta is organised for the joy of
students, irrespective of their race. To
ensure no one is left out, the PTA gave
away free coupons to students from poor
families.”
School principal Khor Siew Lee said
the event would help forge team spirit
and understanding between parents
and teachers, and among students, via
interaction.
Former principal Lo Kwai Sim
labelled the event as an “open day” for
community relationship and develop-
ment. “It should not be seen as just a
fund-raising event,” she said.