Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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(April 21): National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) president Ismail Nasaruddin is challenging his sacking by Malaysian Airlines (MAS) in November 2013 at the Industrial Court, where a hearing is scheduled on April 28.

He said he was suing his ex-employer for unreasonable dismissal, which he claimed was following a media statement by the union, calling for the resignation of MAS chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya then.

"The reason they gave for my dismissal is because of the media statement against the CEO.

"But the statement is by the Nufam secretariat, not me, personally," he said.

The statement was carried in English daily theSun on November 8, where Ismail was then issued a show-cause letter on November 12, 2013.

On November 29, he was sacked, allegedly for breaching disciplinary rules under Malaysian Airlines System Bhd (MAHB) and procedure over complaints regulations in the Collective Agreement.

He joined MAS about 25 years ago and his last position was chief steward.

Ismail made the application to challenge his sacking under Section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act, where if an employer is found to be in the wrong, they would have to pay 24 months of salary in lieu.

In the media statement, Nufam urged Putrajaya to reconsider Ahmad Jauhari's status as CEO, given his failure in dealing with issues relating to the interest of cabin crew.

However, the statement was viewed negatively as it has openly criticised the MAS administration. Ahmad Jauhari also faced strong criticisms over the handling of the MH370, which went missing in March, last year.

The financial losses suffered by MAS also turned the pressure on for the CEO.

Then in December last year, Khazanah Nasional Bhd ended speculation by naming former CEO of Aer Lingus, Christoph R Mueller as the new chief of Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS NewCo).

The move was part of a restructuring exercise to save the national airline that has been hit with two tragedies, including the downing of MH17 in July the same year.

Losses suffered over the years grew following the two tragedies in March and July last year. – The Malaysian Insider

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