MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said he was informed the former senator died at 2.30am at Selayang Hospital, Selangor, due to old age.

Zainal, a native of Tanjung Kling, Melaka, was laid to rest at the USJ 22 Muslim Cemetery in Subang Jaya this morning.

“The late Zainal set high standards for the MTUC leadership as he was very firm on worker-related issues.

“He was deeply concerned about the welfare of workers, dedicated his life to fighting for their rights and never hesitated to speak out against any injustice.

“Despite his firmness, he was also very empathetic and considerate towards workers. In fact, whenever there were issues, he was always willing to meet with the relevant authorities and ensure appropriate action was taken swiftly.”

Kamarul said  Zainal’s dedication to workers’ causes also led to his appointment as a senator in December 1998 to represent trade unions.

Zainal, who served as a senator until 2005, was the second MTUC president to be appointed member of the Senate after SPS Nathan, who was appointed senator in 1963.

His unwavering commitment and significant contributions to workers earned him the title “Bapa Pekerja Malaysia” (Father of Malaysian Workers) from MTUC on May 1, 1997.

Zainal, who served as MTUC president for 18 years starting from 1986, was also a member of the International Labour Organization governing body from 2000 to 2004 and the chairman of the International Transport Workers Federation’s Asia-Pacific regional committee from 2001 to 2009.

He also served as the secretary-general of the Asean Trade Union Council from 1996 to 2004.