SHAH ALAM – The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), which has served as the country’s main workers’ voice for the past 77 years, faces temporary dissolution with immediate effect from Thursday following an order issued by the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
According to a letter sighted by Sinar Harian, the action under Section 14(5) of the Societies Act 1966 was taken after MTUC allegedly failed to submit several documents and information requested by the RoS within the stipulated period.
The letter, signed by Registrar of Societies Nurul Azhar Husin, stated that the RoS on April 6 had directed MTUC to submit several documents related to the organisation’s management and finances for the period between 2020 and 2025 within 30 days.
Among the information requested were the organisation’s registered address, number of members, list of office bearers, minutes of delegate conferences, audited financial statements and a list of foreign organisations linked to MTUC.
However, MTUC allegedly failed to provide copies of documents related to audited receipts and payments statements as well as balance sheets.
The congress was also accused of not submitting details of any funds, property, benefits or profits received from individuals ordinarily residing outside Malaysia or from foreign organisations, authorities, governments or government agencies.
“MTUC failed to submit the requested information.
“Therefore, it is hereby ordered that the registration of the organisation named above (MTUC) be temporarily dissolved effective from the date of this order,” the letter stated.
The letter also stated that if no appeal was submitted within 30 days, or if the appeal was rejected by the Home Minister, the temporary order would become absolute and the organisation would be deemed unlawful.
The RoS stressed that any individual managing or assisting in the management of an organisation whose registration had been revoked could face imprisonment of up to five years, a maximum fine of RM15,000, or both upon conviction.
However, MTUC still has room to submit an appeal to the Home Minister under Section 18 of the Societies Act 1966 within 30 days from the date of the decision.
The letter was sent to MTUC secretary-general and copies were also forwarded to MTUC president Abdul Halim Mansor and treasurer Bindu Girdharlal Patel.
MTUC is the oldest trade union organisation in Malaysia, having been established in 1949 and registered under the Societies Act 1955.
The congress became a body representing workers, particularly during the first Emergency period, when employees needed an organisation to voice and protect their interests.
To date, MTUC has continued to play a major role in championing workers’ rights, including issues involving minimum wage, social protection, job security and labour welfare.
Over more than seven decades, the umbrella body had been led by several trade union figures and became a key voice in labour policy negotiations involving the government, employers and workers.
MTUC’s first president was PP Narayanan, who became a prominent figure in the fight for workers’ rights in Malaysia and was recognised as the ‘Father of Malaysian Workers’ in 1986.
He was also the founder of the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW).
However, MTUC had also faced several internal crises over the years, including leadership disputes, administrative issues and disagreements over the organisation’s direction, particularly in recent years.
On Dec 18, 2007, the election for MTUC office bearers for the 2008-2010 term involving the secretary-general post was reported to have violated Rule 6(6) of the MTUC Constitution.
On May 29, 2008, MTUC filed an originating summons at the High Court registrar’s office seeking a declaration that the voting results for the term were invalid and void.
In 2023, the congress again came under the spotlight following disputes involving its top leadership and issues related to organisational management.
At the time, MTUC obtained a conditional interim stay order restricting the current committee members to handling only daily administrative matters.
MTUC was also barred from making policy decisions on behalf of the congress, while the court ordered its officers not to conduct any fresh elections.