LABUAN: Containerised port operator Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (LLPM) has clarified that fewer than 20 of its employees had signed a memorandum to join any new port operator to run the terminal facilities and operations, and not 80 as claimed.
Its general manager, Abd Ghani Paijan, in a statement today, also denied that the employees were coerced into making a peaceful picket on Jan 13 as claimed by the author of the memorandum.
“We refer to the news articles published in SabahNewsToday.com dated Jan 21, 2020 and Daily Express dated Jan 22, 2020, respectively. We categorically deny such allegations,” he said.
Abd Ghani said both articles had insinuated that the majority of the employees had signed the so-called memorandum.
“In fact, fewer than 20 employees actually understood the content and signed it, not 80 as claimed.
“In addition, we are extremely disappointed in a press briefing by the chairman of the Labuan Port Authority on Jan 19, (where) he announced receipt of the memorandum without confirming with us the validity of the claims therein,” he said.
Describing the content of the memorandum as malicious, Abd Ghani said the claims were a fabrication and designed to tarnish LLPM’s reputation.
“The actions of our two former employees (a former assistant operation and logistics manager and a former fleet supervisor) were also a serious breach of their employment contract. As such, we have terminated their employment with us.
“We have made a police report regarding this matter and are considering legal action against the two individuals,” Abd Ghani said. – Jan 31, 2020, Bernama
