KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appointed DAP lawmaker and lawyer Gobind Singh Deo to represent former Utusan Malaysia journalist Amran Ahmad Nor who is seeking a judicial review over his alleged wrongful dismissal.
Amran lost his job at the Umno-linked Malay newspaper in 2009. He mounted a challenge against his termination with the Industrial Court but lost the case last month.
He has filed a judicial review with the High Court against the Industrial Court decision.
“If the decision made by the Industrial Court in this case does not go through a judicial review, the NUJ fears that trade unions in this country will be afraid to voice out, in upholding their cause in future,” the NUJ said in a statement today announcing the appointment of Gobind as the former NUJ division chairman’s legal counsel.
The union added that the legal challenge to the High Court had the moral and legal backing of the Malaysian Trade Union Council as well.
“If criticising, or in disputing any decision of the employer and to report to the authorities in its capacity as a trade union is considered defamatory, it is difficult for any trade union in the country to operate,” NUJ added.
NUJ said Amran’s case is not just an individual concern as a branch chairman of NUJ, but it will also be seen as a reference point in any case involving future sacking of union leaders.
Amran had also reported Utusan Malaysia to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, alleging that the company performed suspicious money transactions and which he added was used as a basis for his termination then.
