SHAH ALAM, Jan 23 — The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has protested against Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s decision to transfer two Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) key personnel out of the company.

On Monday, Khalid ordered PKNS general manager Othman Omar and executive secretary Norita Mohd Sidek to be transferred and be based at the Selangor secretariat building following the termination of Azmin Ali as a PKNS board member.

The duo were also being investigated by the state government, Transparency International and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) chief financial officer Azlan Md Alifiah was appointed as PKNS’s acting GM.

MTUC deputy president Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said Othman and Norita ought to be given an opportunity to defend themselves before any form of punishment is meted out.

“Under Section 14 of the Labour Law Act 1966, it is wrong to remove anyone from his or her duty before a thorough investigation is done and without prior notice,” said Abdullah Sani, who is also the Kuala Langat MP.

“In this case, both personnel were suddenly transferred, which means a decision was made without an inquiry.

“Othman and Norita now have the right to take legal action against the state government.”

Abdullah was met after he handed a protest letter to a PKNS representative at the PKNS headquarters yesterday. Earlier, he and some 25 PKR members, including Selangor PKR secretary Amiruddin Shaari and former PKR Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, demonstrated in front of the building.

Othman and Norita were penalised following the removal of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali from the PKNS board.

Abdullah insists Azmin should be reinstated as his contract only expires in 2015.

The Khalid-Azmin rift grew wider after Azmin was removed from the board on Jan 8.

However, despite being PKNS chairman, Khalid claimed he was not informed of the dismissal.

PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim directed Khalid to reinstate Azmin as the party insisted the removal did not follow proper procedures.

Khalid said the state executive councillors would consider Anwar’s directive but only after investigations have been carried out.