MTUC sec-gen questions removal from Socso board

Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general J. Solomon wants the Human Resources Minister to reveal the grounds for his recent removal from the Social Security Organisation (Socso) board.

Solomon, who was removed as MTUC’s representative in Socso effective Dec 31, said he was seeking M. Kulasegaran’s explanation on why he was removed in the middle of his term as a board member although his tenure ends only on July 31, 2021.

“I have written twice to ask Kulasegaran, first asking for the grounds for sacking me and then asking him to reveal which Socso board meeting he was referring to – to justify his action in sacking me. He has yet to respond to my requests,” he said on Thursday.

Solomon also wanted to address some of the specific accusations levelled against him in a Jan 10 news article, adding that he was not given the opportunity to do so.

He claimed he was removed following an incident on May 29 last year after he raised issues over pensioners’ contributions, and for asking for minutes of meetings in Bahasa Malaysia be translated into English for the benefit of several board members.

Solomon said he was shocked when he was issued a show-cause letter by Kulasegaran the following day (May 30) over the incident, adding that he responded with a nine-page detailed explanation on June 5 last year.

He added that there was no further word over the incident although there was talk of the setting up of an inquiry board to probe the May 29 incident.

However, Solomon said he was reappointed on Aug 1 for a two-year term with the inquiry board never materialising.

On Dec 31, Solomon said he was baffled when he received a letter from Kulasegaran thanking him for his services.

As to claims that he was removed because of his disruptive behaviour during meetings, Solomon challenged those making such allegations to come forward.