Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
Abdul Gani Mohd Amin, 60, was the union’s treasurer when he allegedly committed
the offence at Syarikat Concentric Series Sdn Bhd in Jalan Medan Tuanku here
between June 6, 2002 and June 28, 2002.
<p>He claimed trial to the charge, which carries a 20-year jail term, whipping
and fine.</p>
<p>A senior mechanic of MAS’ engineering department lodged a complaint against
Abdul Gani in 2003.</p>
<p>Deputy Public Prosecutor S. Devanandan said he would support bail at RM300,000
in two sureties due to the seriousness of the offence and the big amount involved.
</p>
<p>Pleading for a RM100,000 bail, defence counsel Suria Kumar D.J. Paul said his
client had retired and could not afford to raise a high bail.</p>
<p>Suria Kumar said Abdul Gani was currently unemployed and had to care for his
wife and pay housing loan instalments.</p>
<p>Sessions Court judge Akhtar Tahir asked Abdul Gani if he had any family overseas,
to which he replied that he had a child staying in Kota Kinabalu. </p>
<p>Akhtar allowed bail of RM100,000 in one surety and ordered him to surrender
his travel documents.</p>
<p>Abdul Gani could not raise bail. Trial is set for four days from Oct 2.</p>
<p>Abdul Gani is the second unionist to be charged with CBT. Former National Union
of Bank Employees secretary-general K. Sanmugam, 58, had claimed trial to a
charge involving 100,000 shares in Kuantan Flour Mill on Dec 8.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com