Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is both appalled and disgusted by the manner and lack of maturity shown by the Perak State Executive Councillor for Human Resources, Health and Indian Community Affairs, YB A. Sivanesan, in handling a workers’ dispute.

Rather than hearing both sides of the story, the Exco has clearly demonstrated that he is pro-employer and anti-union. Not only did he fail to make any effort to meet with the union representatives, but he went a step further by making one-sided comments to the media and even posing for a photo session with the concession company, Edgenta UEMS Sdn Bhd.

In his Tamil video statement, which appeared in Makkal Osai(26-5-2026) and Sinar Harian(26-5-2026) , the Exco took a one-sided position that can be summarised as follows: that the workers had no right to hold a picket or demonstration outside the Sri Manjung Hospital on 18 May 2026; and that the hospital has nothing to do with the case, as it is an issue between the workers and their employer or government contractor, UEMS Edgenta.

In the same video, he also took a swipe at political parties for being involved in the issue. Although he did not mention names, it is clear that PSM activists were on the ground to lend support and solidarity to the union. That has always been PSM’s position; to stand in solidarity with workers, and to organise workers and unions. Shame on the DAP Exco. Not only was DAP absent from standing in solidarity with the working class, but they also failed to remain neutral, as one would have reasonably expected.

For the record, a supervisor working for UEMS Edgenta verbally abused and attempted to assault a worker in the hospital. The union complained to the employer and also lodged a police report as early as 27 March 2026. No action was taken against the supervisor, which forced the union to resort to a picket.

Peaceful public assembly is a fundamental constitutional right under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution. A Federal Court ruling in the Amir Hadi case has also decided that Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 is unconstitutional under Article 4(1) of the Constitution. Yet Sivanesan continues to harp on this provision, even though the picket itself was peaceful and ended peacefully. There was no public outcry, and the police did not declare the demonstration illegal nor order the people to disperse. Perhaps DAP or PH need to state what their stance on peaceful public assembly are?

On a larger issue, the Exco’s position has clearly washed his hands of the government’s responsibility when dealing with issues involving employers who are chosen and appointed by the government itself. In 2022, the then Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin acknowledged that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is responsible for workers contracted by concessionaires serving MOH facilities. His position overruled the earlier view that these workers or cleaners are solely under the responsibility of the concessionaires that employ them.

Following his meeting with contract public hospital cleaners in Putrajaya in February 2022, Khairy said: “I have informed them, as Health Minister that even though they are workers under concession companies, those companies receive concessions from the MOH. Therefore, their welfare is also our responsibility at the ministry.” Now, we have a DAP Exco trying to wash his hands of the same responsibility.

A. Sivanesan was also reported in Sinar Harian as saying that the police have already investigated and deemed that there is no criminal issue in the case. The problem is that the police only seriously began investigating the case after the picket. It is the role of the police to send the investigation paper to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) to determine whether a criminal matter exists or not. It is unbecoming of a Human Resources Exco to make premature statements when the complainant has yet to receive any official letter from the police stating that the case is classified as No Further Action (NFA).

Worst of all, how can a state Exco, supposedly representing the interests of all including workers hold a meeting and press conference without consulting or inviting the union representing them? Is this the current policy of DAP; something that figures like V. David and Patto would be deeply embarrassed by? The least the Exco could have done was remain neutral, rather than openly and clearly demonstrating a pro-employer stance. This will undermine justice and complicate police investigations into the matter.

S. Arutchelvan
Deputy Chairperson
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

28 May 2026