National airline Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has suspended the president of the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam), Ismail Nasaruddin, for a statement he made to the media against MAS chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, pending a domestic inquiry.

Ismail was suspended without allowances with immediate effect starting Nov 8 following a news report quoting him that was published on the same day. 

In a Nov 11 show cause letter sighted by Malaysiakini, MAS said Ismail had acted in contradiction with his duties as a chief steward of the airline by issuing the statement.

The letter also cited a SunBiz report in which Ismail calls for the removal of Ahmad Jauhari (left) as CEO for his alleged failure to attend to the welfare of the MAS cabin crew and engage in collective agreement negotiations with the union. 

It said that although Ismail is the union president, he is first and foremost a MAS employee.

Meanwhile, Nufam said in a statement that a memorandum has been sent to the Human Resources Ministry seeking intervention in the matter. 

The memorandum, among others, states that Ismail's statements to the press "have basis" and that MAS has refused to acknowledge the union despite Nufam's registration about a year ago.

Defending Ismail in the statement, the union secretariat said the suspension "is simply a case of victimisation" to ease off "pressure made by Nufam leaders on matters highlighted to the public". 

"This is simply unacceptable and a display of union-busting by MAS," the secretariat said. "MAS is now further proving how they will use drastic measures against those who question them."

MAS breaking law?

The union added that the suspension went against Convention 87 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which allows freedom of association. 

It also accused MAS of contravening section 59 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967, which states that no person can be threatened or victimised for serving in a trade union. 

Nufam also called on the government to ensure the job security of all trade union leaders against the tyranny of corporations, particularly government-linked companies.

"Nufam will continue to raise all cabin crew matters in order to preserve the rights of these workers within MAS," it vowed.

Malaysiakini has contacted MAS and is awaiting the national airline's response.