Less than 20 signed memo, says Labuan port management
Published on: Saturday, February 01, 2020
Chan Foong Hin
File photo from Bernama.
LABUAN: The Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (LLPM) said fewer than 20 employees actually understood the content and signed the memorandum that was submitted to Labuan Port Authority (LPA) Chairman, Chan Foong Hin, not 80 as claimed.Its General Manager Abd Ghani Paijan, said this in response to a Daily Express news entitled “Port Workers Say Forced To Protest” on Jan 22, this year, which reported that workers of the Labuan Liberty Container Port have handed a memorandum to Chan declaring their firm wish to continue their services under whichever company is appointed by LPA.
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Abd Ghani said; “We categorically deny the content of both articles insinuating that the majority of our employees signed the said memorandum. In fact, fewer than 20 employees actually understood the content and signed it, not 80 as claimed.
“We also deny that our employees were coerced into making peaceful picket on Jan 13 as claimed by the maker of the memorandum. In addition, we are extremely disappointed that, in a press briefing by the LPA Chairman on Jan 19, he announced receipt of the memorandum without confirming with us the validity of the claims therein.”
He said the content of the memorandum is malicious and fabricated and designed to tarnish LLPM good reputation.
“The actions of our two former employees named therein are also a serious breach of their employment contract. As such, we have terminated their employment with us. We have made a police report regarding this matter and are considering legal action against the two individuals,” said Abd Ghani, in a statement.
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It was reported that the port has been managed by Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (LLPM) since 1998 went under a Request For Proposal (RFP) exercise by the Bintulu Port Authority towards the end of last year. Several companies participated and the result is to be known soon.
The new operator would be given a six-year term with new conditions to manage the port.
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A senior port worker, Dul Alias, accompanied by operations supervisor Mohd Shafiq said the memo was handed last Friday to Chan and copies extended to the directors of LPA it is supported by port workers.
A copy was made available. Its highlight three points:
1. The workers while under LLPM were responsible in bringing about changes to the port
2. They regretted the picket/protest held recently outside the port. They were not consulted on the matter
3. They claimed they were directed to stage the protest and were paid for it.
Chan had said that a letter of termination of land lease had been issued to LLPM on Friday. A new operator would be appointed after the Chinese New Year. The operator would be responsible for ensuring the operational efficiently of the port.
Regarding the report lodged by LLPM representatives to MACC alleging tender conspiracy and leaked information, Chan said that LPA was open to investigations by any party and this was not a problem because all meetings of the LPA had been recorded and minuted.
Meanwhile, Labuan Liberty Port Management (LLPM) denied orchestrating the picket on Jan 13 as claimed by staff.
According to LLPM, the staff who made the claim had been suspended recently for breach of trust.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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