14 October 2006

SCB threatens Andrew Lo with Defamation suit

Stanchart   IS   A     BIG     BULLY!

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:  

• Write a letter containing a suitable withdrawal and apology in terms to be approved by the bank.

• Compensate the Bank for the damage to its reputation.

• Legal cost.

• 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.

“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.

ALL SBEU MEMBERS MUST STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR  

We must NEVER kowtow to any threats by any Mat Sallehs or any of their stooges.  

Otherwise it will be the end of SBEU 

There will be no more protection against exploitation! 

There will be no more protection against bullying by big employers!