Silence over MTUC fiasco raises questions about workers’ representation

From Elesh Vengadesan-Lee

Observers of the Malaysian labour situation must be absolutely baffled at the current fate of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), which has served as the country’s main workers’ voice for the past 77 years.

It was announced last month that the MTUC would be temporarily dissolved with immediate effect following an order issued by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) dated May 7, 2026.

This was because the union umbrella organisation had not complied with a written directive dated April 6, which required the submission of copies of statements of receipts and payments, audited balance sheets for the years 2020 to 2025, as well as a list of financial contributions, assets, funds, or benefits received from foreign parties during the same period.

So the question is, what’s next? The organisation had 30 days to submit an appeal to the home ministry under Section 18 of the Societies Act 1966. And that period has lapsed.

Yet there is no word from the MTUC’s various factions nor from the human resources ministry.

Will the MTUC be allowed to die a quiet death?

This is a far cry from the days of PP Narayanan and V David when workers were organised and unions were feared by bosses who eventually caved in and gave them better working conditions, hours, and benefits.

Perhaps the apathy over the MTUC’s fate is a tacit admission that the body has slipped into relative irrelevance.

After all, most traditional labour roles are now being performed by migrant workers, who are unrepresented by unions and consequently easier to exploit. For that reason, employers are keen to maintain the status quo.

But surely this can’t be allowed to persist?

Former MTUC president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud said last month that the government had allocated RM10 million in 2025 to strengthen trade unions, a substantial increase from RM2.6 million in 2023.

How can the union movement be strengthened if the MTUC is allowed to fall apart?

In an era where our workers are in need of skills training, technology adoption, and general leadership, there is still a role for trade unions. I urge all stakeholders to ensure that the MTUC ship does not sink into oblivion.

Elesh Vengadesan-Lee is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.