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In a move that
reminds us of how a neighbouring country use defamation suits to shut up
political dissent, Stanchart has on 7 September 2006 instructed a prominent law
firm in Kuching to demand that Andrew Lo (In his personal capacity) withdraw
statements he was alleged to have made during the picketing on 4/9/06
The Bank
claims that these statements;
1.
Stanchart is a liar,
2.
Stanchart simply demotes staff
3.
Stanchart do not want to pay $20,000 which belongs to staff. Hence no ethics
are untrue and
constitute grave slander. The Bank demanded, amongst others, that Andrew Lo,
within 48 hours:
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Write a
letter containing a suitable withdrawal and apology in terms to be approved
by the bank.
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Compensate
the Bank for the damage to its reputation.
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Legal
cost.
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An
immediate proposal by Andrew Lo to pay the bank an amount of money as
damages.
Of course
Andrew Lo and SBEU will never bow to such dictatorial demands and will defend
our right to stand up for our members. We have univocally rejected the demands
of the bank.
SBEU WILL vigorously defend any proceedings the Bank chooses to take.
Mr. Andrew Lo,
in his capacity as General Secretary of SBEU stand by what he said during the
picketing on 4th September 2006 which was lawfully carried out under
Section 40 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967.
SBEU stand by
these statements in their full context, which in our view constitute:
1.
A fair comment and justification in the description of the facts and
issues in contemplation or in furtherance of the trade dispute;
2.
A fair and accurate comment on the actions, steps, conduct and decisions
of the Bank’s officials; in particular those concerned with human resources, as
perceived by SBEU and/or its members.
The bank's
actions are a blatant attempt to exert pressure upon Andrew Lo in the execution
of his duties as the General Secretary of SBEU. It is an attempt to stifle the
legitimate rights of a SBEU as trade union to freely express its opinions and
views and to protect and safeguard the interests of its members. |
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“I am prepared
to face what ever suit the bank dares to throw at me. I will rather go to jail
then sacrifice the rights of SBEU members”
Andrew Lo
SCB HAS
DESTROYED THE VERY FABRIC OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
SBEU being a
professional organisation respect the right of any Bank or employer to make a
stand on any issues that are in dispute with us.
It is
fundamental principle that whatever these disputes are, it must be recognised
that officials of both the Union and the Bank are entrusted to do a job and to
represent and defend their respective organisation as best as they can.
To attack
officials in their personal capacity is beyond any moral and ethical standards
of a democratic country and the oldest bank in the Country.
It appears to
us that SCB is behaving worst than a dictatorship and would not tolerate
opposing opinions. Unfortunately it is not the first time that the bank
exhibited such conduct. Members would recall that the Bank issued show cause
letter to an employee in Sibu for highlighting security deficiencies in Sibu
Branch.
The bank had
also threatened the 2nd employee from taking up the case of
the STLA- subject matter of the current dispute.
Given such
conduct of the Bank, SBEU will henceforth make managers of the bank personally
liable for any decisions they made against our members and will claim damages
and cost against such managers personally, including seeking to make them
bankrupt should they failed to pay.
SBEU and
Andrew Lo will continue to stand up for the rights of our members without fear
of favour and we will NEVER kowtow to any threats by any Mat Sallehs or any of
their stooges.
So all
SBEU members in all banks throughout Sarawak –
GET READY FOR THE BIGGEST PROTEST THE BANK HAS EVER SEEN |
