Azmin wants PKNS to apologise to Selangor residents

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has hit out at the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) for the sudden sacking of 30 of its employees from its subsidiary PKNS Holdings Sdn Bhd (PHSB).

He said in a statement on Friday, the dismissal under the orders of Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is not only a violation of employment laws but is grossly inhumane.

“It is completely against the principles espoused by the Pakatan Rakyat government of Selangor that all employees must be treated with dignity and compassion.

“While the sudden dismissal is harsh and will cause great financial loss to the employees, a severance pay of two months' salary only adds insult to injury,” he said.

The Gombak MP is also urging those concerned to immediately revoke the dismissal letters and apologise to the people of Selangor.

“In the interest of justice and good governance, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid must stop using the PKNS as a personal weapon against his perceived political rivals,” he added.

On Tuesday, BERNAMA reported nearly 30 PHSB employees were dismissed by the management company with 24 hours notice through a letter that was personally signed by its chairman Datin Paduka Norzalina Zakaria.

PKNS Senior Marketing Manager Dr Alif Aiman, who spoke on behalf of the dismissed employees, said they were shocked by the development as there had not been any discussions prior to their dismissal.

PKNS defended the move the following day saying the dismissal was conducted in accordance to the terms of the employees’ employment contracts.

Its chairman Abdul Khalid meanwhile said, the sacking was based on the integrity pact implemented in PKNS in compliance with good corporate governance.

He argued there was no necessity to prolong the services of the staff because the permanent staff at PKNS already had similar expertise and experience.