Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) deputy president Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal sprung a surprise today when he announced that he would not contest the top post against president Zainal Rampak.

His decision to withdraw from the contest was made after a lengthy heart-to-heart discussion with Zainal on Feb 14, paving the way for a straight fight for the organisations top post.

Transport Workers Unions Zainal will defend his post against Syed Shahir Syed Mohamad from the National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers in an anticipated tough fight.

Shafies withdrawal is expected to improve Zainals chances of defeating his challenger.

In a joint statement released by Zainal and Shafie this morning, both said they would seek re-election, with Shafie from the National Union of Telekom Employees already winning his deputy president post unopposed.

The statement said if both leaders successfully defended their posts, Zainal will surrender the presidents post to his No 2 on Jan 1, 2003.

However, MTUC insiders said Zainal has been singing the same tune in 1996 and 1999 when he announced that he would give up his post but failed to do so.

I doubt he will do it this time, especially when there may be more at stake now, said an insider.

Equal chance

MTUC secretary general G Rajasekaran, from the Metal Industry Employees Union, who faces Abdul Malek Ariff from the Malaysia Airlines Employees Union, felt that the upcoming MTUC elections will offer a level playing field where everyone has a equal chance at victory.

For the post of deputy secretary-general, incumbent Abdul Halim Mansor of the National Union of Petroleum and Chemical Industry Workers Peninsular Malaysia, will face R Chandrasekaran from the National Union of Newspaper Workers.

When nominations closed on Jan 11, a total of 92 candidates were contesting the 17 posts. However, only 30 nominees confirmed their candidacy by the 5.30pm deadline today.

All positions will see a one-to-one fight, except for the post of financial secretary which will contested by three candidates.

When met later today, Syed Shahir said he has a strong team for the elections.

Our chances are good. We will focus on resolving outstanding issues at the national level like the dwindling Employees Provident Fund dividends, the annuity scheme and the drastic reduction of the incapacitation benefits, he said.

Hot topic

Other issues include the increasing retrenchment rate in the country and a social safety net for workers.

Syed Shahir said globalisation will be another hot topic for his team, especially how to soften the severity of its impact on workers.

That is why we need a strong workers organisation which can protect and prevent what happened in the Latin American countries like Argentina where workers suffered badly from the effects of globalisation, he said.

MTUC has a membership of 550,000, and a total of 568 delegates will cast votes at the delegates conference on March 5 and 6 to elect the congress principal office-bearers.