ILR Bulletin, Vol 09 2007
28 June 2007

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INDUSTRIAL LAW REPORTS ISSUE 5 of 2007

SUBJECT INDEX

DISMISSAL

Absenteeism - Being absent consecutively without the company’s approval - Claimant going on leave without leave being approved by company - Whether proven by company - Onus of proof - Effect of - Reasons given by claimant - Whether acceptable - Whether charges against claimant proven - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Tenaga Nasional Berhad v. Haji Hairuddin Haji Yahaya
(Soo Ai Lin) [2007] 2 ILR 462

Attendance - Truancy - Claimant not at work when supposed to be - Punch cards unable to be located - Whether fatal to company’s case - Whether company proven charges against claimant - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Tenaga Nasional Berhad v. Haji Hairuddin Haji Yahaya
(Soo Ai Lin) [2007] 2 ILR 462

Bad language - Whether proven by company - Hearsay evidence - Effect of - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Fong Kim Fatt v. Neata Aluminium (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
(Susila Sithamparam) [2007] 2 ILR 368

Breach of company rules and policies - Dishonesty - Claimant wilfully refusing to follow established procedures set up by school - Whether claimant had exceeded his authority - Whether claimant’s integrity and honesty questionable - Position held by claimant - Effect of - Whether claimant’s explanation acceptable - Whether claimant had discharged his duties diligently - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sekolah Menengah Swasta Saleha Genting Highlands v. Zakaria Abdullah
(Choong Siew Khim) [2007] 2 ILR 337

Breach of company rules and policies - Medical leave - Reasons for procuring raising doubts - Effect of - Whether claimant’s explanation acceptable - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Tenaga Nasional Berhad v. Haji Hairuddin Haji Yahaya
(Soo Ai Lin) [2007] 2 ILR 462

Breach of company rules and policies - Negligence - Claimant failing to safely keep till key as provided by Bank’s procedures - Money in till missing - Whether liability lay with Bank or claimant - Bank suffering losses - Effect of - Whether claimant’s explanation acceptable - Whether company had established a prima facie case against the claimant - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Mohd Nor Abdul Rahman v. Bumiputra Commerce Bank Berhad
(Rajendran Nayagam) [2007] 2 ILR 376

Breach of company rules and policies - Negligence - Claimant signing cash voucher for larger amount than the amount he handed in to the company - Amount given to the claimant as a gift - Non-disclosure by claimant until a much later stage - Company suffering losses - Effect of - Whether claimant’s explanation acceptable - Whether company had established a prima facie case against the claimant - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Goodway Rubber Industries Sdn Bhd v. Mugunthan Damodaran
(Franklin Goonting) [2007] 2 ILR 295

Breach of company rules and policies - Negligence - Whether proven - Claimant raising queries about company’s contributions to EPF - Effect of - Whether company had acted bona fide - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Fong Kim Fatt v. Neata Aluminium (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
(Susila Sithamparam) [2007] 2 ILR 368

Constructive dismissal - Status - Demotion - Due to re-organisation of company - Whether reorganisation done bona fide - Claimant not disputing bona fides of reorganisation - Claimant raising several allegations against the company - Whether allegations proven by claimant - Effect of - Whether company had taken steps to drive the claimant out of his employment - Whether explanation given by company reasonable - Claimant carrying on to work for company after alleged acts leading to constructive dismissal had taken place - Claimant claiming constructive dismissal - Whether constructive dismissal proven - Whether the claimant had waived the alleged breach by the company - Whether fundamental breach of terms of employment by company - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Lee Bee Chai v. Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (Formerly Known As Cement Manufacturers Sarawak Berhad)
(Muniandy Kannyappan) [2007] 2 ILR 426

Insubordination - Claimant failing to report to KL office as directed - Whether reasons for claimant’s non compliance reasonable - Whether company had given claimant enough notice and time to relocate - Whether time period given to claimant to report back for duty reasonable - Effect of - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Yap Kien Choong v. MBF Cards (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
(Susila Sithamparam) [2007] 2 ILR 357

Misconduct - Claimant assaulting directors of the company - Whether proven - Conduct of company after the event - Whether claimant came within definition of ‘workman’ under the Industrial Relations Act 1967 - Determination of - Recourse of the claimant - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, ss. 2
& 20(3)
Autron Sdn Bhd v. Ting Teck Sie
(Zura Yahya) [2007] 2 ILR 260

Misconduct - Claimant performing functions not stipulated in terms of employment to Club’s benefit - Whether Club had condoned his actions - Whether additional functions had become part of claimant’s job functions - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sunway Lagoon Club Bhd v. Md Noh Mat Tahir
(Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah) [2007] 2 ILR 273

Misconduct - Dishonest use by claimant of company funds without authorisation - Company suffering financial losses - Company suffering losses - Effect of - Whether claimant’s explanation acceptable - Whether claimant had a choice in the matter - Whether company’s reputation had suffered - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Norhayati Abd Majid v. Suasa Efektif (M) Sdn Bhd
(Rajendran Nayagam) [2007] 2 ILR 385

Misconduct - Misrepresentation made by claimant that third party employee of company - Whether detrimental to the company - Effect of - Whether claimant had breached her duty to the company - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Norhayati Abd Majid v. Suasa Efektif (M) Sdn Bhd
(Rajendran Nayagam) [2007] 2 ILR 385

Misconduct - Sexual misconduct - Whether charge had been proven against claimant - Complainant’s evidence uncorroborated - Written complaint not written by complainant and a mere summary of events - Effect of - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sunway Lagoon Club Bhd v. Md Noh Mat Tahir
(Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah) [2007] 2 ILR 273

Misconduct - Sexual misconduct - Whether charges had been proven against claimant - Complainants evidence corroborated - Whose evidence more believable - Delay by complainants in lodging police report and complaint with management - Reasons for - Effect of - Claimant discharged not amounting to an acquittal on same charges in Magistrate’s Court - Whether proved claimant’s innocence - Effect of - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, ss. 20(3) & 30(5)
Colgate-Palmolive (M) Sdn Bhd v. Yap Shyan Meng
(Yeoh Wee Siam) [2007] 2 ILR 313

Notice of termination - Whether company had terminated claimant or claimant had walked out of employment - Whether claimant had evinced an intention to leave the employment of the company - Effect of - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Yap Kien Choong v. MBF Cards (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
(Susila Sithamparam) [2007] 2 ILR 357

Poor performance - Whether sufficient evidence adduced by company to prove the same - Whether allegations proven - Whether claimant had been terminated by the company - Reasons for termination - No warnings issued to claimant - Employees of company not being given notice - Effect of - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Autron Sdn Bhd v. Ting Teck Sie
(Zura Yahya) [2007] 2 ILR 260

Retrenchment - Redundancy - Whether carried out by the company bona fide - Whether LIFO principles applicable - Reason for claimant’s employment coming to an end - Effect of - Code of Conduct for Industrial Harmony - Whether applicable - Whether has legal force - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sathiyamoorthi Shanmugam & Anor v. Accoustomas Aviation Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd
(Jalaldin Hj Hussain) [2007] 2 ILR 478

Retrenchment - Redundancy - Whether claimant had notice of retrenchment - Whether claimant ought to have known - Whether principles of natural justice came into play - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sathiyamoorthi Shanmugam & Anor v. Accoustomas Aviation Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd
(Jalaldin Hj Hussain) [2007] 2 ILR 478

DOMESTIC INQUIRY

Procedural impropriety - Claimant not given enough time to prepare case or to study exhibits - Effect of - Whether DI conducted fairly - Whether prejudice caused to the claimant - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, ss. 20(3) & 30(5)
Colgate-Palmolive (M) Sdn Bhd v. Yap Shyan Meng
(Yeoh Wee Siam) [2007] 2 ILR 313

Procedural impropriety - DI didn’t follow established and accepted procedures - Effect of - Whether DI conducted fairly - Whether way in which it was conducted was prejudicial to the claimant - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sunway Lagoon Club Bhd v. Md Noh Mat Tahir
(Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah) [2007] 2 ILR 273

EVIDENCE

Burden of proof - Court adjudicating an employment dispute - Standard of proof required - Whether Bank had discharged it - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Mohd Nor Abdul Rahman v. Bumiputra Commerce Bank Berhad
(Rajendran Nayagam) [2007] 2 ILR 376

Corroboration - Sexual Misconduct - In what circumstances independent corroboration would be necessary - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sunway Lagoon Club Bhd v. Md Noh Mat Tahir
(Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah) [2007] 2 ILR 273

Documentary evidence - Findings of the Domestic Inquiry - Whether perverse - Notes of the Inquiry - Illegible notes - Effect of - Failure by Club to adduce all supporting appendixes - Effect of - Accuracy of notes - Whether doubt cast - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sunway Lagoon Club Bhd v. Md Noh Mat Tahir
(Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah) [2007] 2 ILR 273

Documentary evidence - Findings of the DI - Not marked by Bank as part of its bundle - Validity of DI not established - Claimant not called or given chance to defend allegations against her - Whether fundamental breach of principles of natural justice - Effect of - Whether prima facie case made against the claimant - Industrial Relations
Act 1967
Maybank Berhad v. Association Of Maybank Class One Officers (AMCO)
(Chew Soo Ho) [2007] 2 ILR 408

Documentary evidence - Show cause memo by company stating 3 reasons - Whether Court can go into other reasons put forward by company which were not stipulated in the show cause memo in determining whether claimant’s dismissal had been justified - Factors to consider - Whether prejudice caused to claimant - Whether equitable - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Norhayati Abd Majid v. Suasa Efektif (M) Sdn Bhd
(Rajendran Nayagam) [2007] 2 ILR 385

Standard of proof - Sexual misconduct - Offence under the Penal Code - Elements of crime in misconduct - Civil standard of proof - Balance of probabilities - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Colgate-Palmolive (M) Sdn Bhd v. Yap Shyan Meng
(Yeoh Wee Siam) [2007] 2 ILR 313

Witness - Recall of witness - Under what circumstances permissible - Discretion of the court - Whether there were exceptional circumstances - Effect of - Evidence Act 1950, s. 138(4)
Chua Kiang Boon v. Prestasi Flour Mill (M) Sdn Bhd
(Yamuna Menon) [2007] 2 ILR 452

INDUSTRIAL COURT

Jurisdiction - Whether court had threshold jurisdiction - Overseas employer - No legal entity under Malaysian law - Effect of - Claimant agreeing to be bound by laws of another country - No objection taken to Minister’s reference - Effect of - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(1)
Gan Boon Ann v. Youngbo Chemical Co Ltd
(Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah) [2007] 2 ILR 332

Jurisdiction - Whether court’s jurisdiction limited to issues referred by party to the Director General of Industrial Relations - Whether Court could fetter its own jurisdiction - Effect of - Industrial Relations Act 1967, ss. 18(5), 26(1) & 26(2)
Kesatuan Kebangsaan Pekerja-Pekerja Hotel, Bar & Restoran Semenanjung Malaysia v. Shangri-La Hotel (KL) Sdn Bhd
(Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah) [2007] 2 ILR 402

Procedure - Action - Charges - Whether contained sufficient particulars to enable the claimant to answer the case - Claimant only raising objection to charges at submission stage - Effect of - Whether defects curable before the Court - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, ss. 20(3) & 30(5)
Colgate-Palmolive (M) Sdn Bhd v. Yap Shyan Meng
(Yeoh Wee Siam) [2007] 2 ILR 313

Procedure - Action - Transfer - Factors to consider - Relative financial hardship suffered by parties - Suffered by whom - Industrial Relations Act 1967, ss. 20(3) & 29(g)
Michael Underwood v. Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
(P Iruthayaraj D Pappusamy) [2007] 2 ILR 394

Procedure - Reference to High Court - Affirmation on issue of liability in High Court - Matter referred back to Industrial Court for determination on quantum of backwages - Claimant’s post-dismissal income - Whether Industrial Court when making original award had addressed its mind to it - Industrial Relations Act 1967
Syed Sheikh Syed Ja’afar v. Mansource Interior Sdn Bhd
(Soo Ai Lin) [2007] 2 ILR 253

Remedies - Claim for petrol allowance and directors fees - Whether proven by claimant - Whether claimant entitled - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Fong Kim Fatt v. Neata Aluminium (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
(Susila Sithamparam) [2007] 2 ILR 368

Remedies - Punishment - Deferred increments - Whether allegations against claimant proven - Bank’s case based on circumstantial evidence and handwriting expert’s opinion - Whether expert’s opinion flawed procedurally - Process adopted by expert witness - Uncorroborated evidence - Whether sole reliance placed by expert witness on Bank’s word in comparison of handwriting samples - Challenge to experts opinion not rebutted by Bank - Effect of – Industrial Relations Act 1967
Maybank Berhad v. Association Of Maybank Class One Officers (AMCO)
(Chew Soo Ho) [2007] 2 ILR 408

Remedies - Reinstatement - Whether appropriate under circumstances - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Sunway Lagoon Club Bhd v. Md Noh Mat Tahir
(Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah) [2007] 2 ILR 273

Remedies - Reinstatement - Whether appropriate under circumstances - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)
Fong Kim Fatt v. Neata Aluminium (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
(Susila Sithamparam) [2007] 2 ILR 368

INDEKS PERKARA

MAHKAMAH PERUSAHAAN

Prosidur - Pliding - Pindaan kepada pliding - Yang Menuntut berpeluang untuk meneliti ikatan dokumen dan kenyataan saksi-saksi syarikat - Kelambatan Yang Menuntut dalam memfailkan permohonan untuk pindaan - Sama ada syarikat akan mengalami prejudis - Sama ada pindaan yang dicadangkan dilakukan oleh Yang Menuntut secara bona fide - Akta Mahkamah Perusahaan 1967, s. 20(3)
Leaw Sai Kau lwn. The Store (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
(Siti Saleha Abu Bakar) [2007] 2 ILR 448

PEMBUANGAN KERJA

Pekerja berlebihan/redundancy - Tingkah laku responden - Samada jawatan yang dipegang oleh Yang Menuntut berlebihan kepada keperluan - Samada ujud unsur mala fide di pihak responden - Kesannya - Samada dibuktikan - Samada pembuangan kerja adalah tanpa alasan atau sebab yang adil - Akta Mahkamah Perusahaan 1967, s. 20(3)
Zainun Mohd Hanifah lwn. B Braun Medical Industries Sdn Bhd
(Siti Khadijah Sheikh Hassan) [2007] 2 ILR 346

CASE OF THE WEEK

KRISHNA MOORTHY SHANMUGAM v. AK NAGARAJAH SDN BHD/PEMBINAAN SHINRAI CHADWICK PELAGAT JV SDN BHD

DISMISSAL: Constructive dismissal - Salary - Verbal contract between claimant and company - Effect of - Company delaying payment of claimant’s salaries and benefits - Confusion as to who claimant’s employer was - Effect of - Issue as to duration of claimant’s employment - Duration of claimant’s tenure intrinsically linked with company’s contract on the project - Effect of - Claimant claiming constructive dismissal - Whether evidence tendered by claimant sufficient - Whether constructive dismissal proven - Whether fundamental breach of terms of employment by company - Whether dismissal without just cause or excuse - Industrial Relations Act 1967, s. 20(3)

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