RoS director-general Zulfikar Ahmad said the RoS recognises all MTUC leaders listed in the eRoses system, including Effendy.

He said the High Court decision in September 2023 stated that no policy decision could be made by MTUC until the appeal process concludes.

“Any leadership elections held after this date are invalid until the appeal process (in the courts) is completed,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

The High Court had stayed its order annulling MTUC’s triennial delegates’ conference, subject to several conditions.

Judicial commissioner Chong Yeow Choy ruled that the current office-bearers were only permitted to conduct MTUC’s day-to-day administrative affairs and must refrain from making policy decisions on its behalf.

The verdict for an appeal against the High Court’s decision is expected tomorrow.

On Feb 7, FMT reported that Effendy had lodged a police report against two current leaders after his removal via the general council meeting on Jan 19. Vice-president Dauzkaply Nor Ghazali was subsequently appointed as acting president.

Effendy said his purported removal by a group led by Kamarul Baharin Mansor, whose own position as secretary-general was in dispute, violated MTUC’s constitution and a 2023 court order.

Zulfikar said today that Kamarul was no longer MTUC’s secretary-general following confirmation from the department of trade union affairs that he was no longer an employee.

He added that RoS had issued an official notice to MTUC, instructing it to take the necessary action in accordance with the membership clauses under the MTUC constitution.

He said the RoS respected the court’s decision and would take further action once the legal proceedings are finalised.

“The union must respect and comply with the court order to ensure continuity in its operations and safeguard the interests of MTUC members,” he added.