SBF, SCCI disappointed, want representative in Socso board

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Ting (left) seen speaking to reporters during the press conference held at BCCK yesterday. Also seen is Abang Abdul Karim (right) and Chai (centre).

KUCHING: The Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) and Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) are disappointed that the Ministry of Human Resources did not reappoint their nominee to represent the employers in Sarawak to the Board of Perkeso (Socso).

According to SBF deputy president Datuk Philip Ting, it was the practice for more than 25 years by all former ministers holding responsibility over Socso and the practice was not followed during the recent appointments to the Socso Board.

He also commented that Sarawak employers, who are represented in the Council of the SBF, collectively contribute more than RM200 million a year to Socso.

“As an important stakeholder, they have a direct interest to be involved in the management of Socso.

“During the past two decades or so, the Ministry of Human Resources has always  consulted the Malaysian Employers’ Federation (MEF), who in turn consulted the SCCl whose nominees were all appointed,” he added during a press conference held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.

Although Sarawak employers currently do have a Sarawakian representative in the management of Socso, SBF and SCCI opined that the representative does not represent Sarawak employers as the representative was not nominated by SBF and SCCI.

Ting said that Sarawak employers recognise the importance of their interests being represented and their collective voice, heard but MEF’s sole Sarawak nominee was however rejected.

Thus on behalf of SBF and SCCI, he revealed that they want to register their objection and displeasure at this turn of event, as well as the lack of consultation by the minister with the Sarawak business community.

“We therefore respectfully request the Sarawak state government to assist us in rectifying this situation. We shall be submitting another nominee from SBF to the state for onward transmission to the Minister of Human Resources for consideration,” he said.

Socso or Social Security Organisation (also known as Perkeso) was established in 1971 under the Ministry of Human Resources (formerly known as Ministry of Labour) to provide social security protection to all employees/ workers in Malaysia.

Serian-born Datuk Seri Richard Riot is currently serving as the country’s Minister of Human Resources.

Also present during the press conference were SBF president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Abang Openg, secretary Jonathan Chai and Malaysia Productivity Corporation director Tengku Azmi Tengku Majid.