A motion to cut RM10 from the salary of Human Resource Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn was rejected by Parliament today.

The motion, submitted by M Kula Segaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat), cited the internal tussle of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) and that the ministry has failed to resolve the problem.

"The dispute between the two camps led by Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid and Muhammad Fauzi Shamsuddin was caused by financial mismanagement since 1994. The situation deteriorated because of the carelessness of the ministry," he said in the motion.

Kula Segaran also raised the alleged 'contra trading' that has caused NUBE to lose millions of ringgit from 1994 to 1996.

Fong, in his reply, rebutted claims that the ministry has failed to address the problem.

"I have said many times that the government has no power over internal tussles in trade unions," he said, adding that this was to ensure the independence of the trade unions.

He said that the increase in the number of trade unions from 537 in 1999 to 609 in 2003 was proof that the government has been very supportive of trade unions.

Furious NUBE members

Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading), Dr.Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Itam) and Ahmad Shabery Cheek (BN-Kemaman) objected to the motion.

Mohamed Aziz said Fong is a "terrific minister" so it was unreasonable to have the motion to cut his pay.

Wee described the motion as 'an exaggeration of a small issue' while Ahamd Shabery called it a 'political gimmick' of the DAP.

Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) spoke up in support of her party colleague's motion.

Meanwhile, a group of NUBE members led by general secretary J Solomon were also present in the House during the debate.

Solomon, apparently irked by the remarks of Fong and BN MPs, said 'I am shocked to see the conduct of the BN MPs in their speeches just now."

"They didn't offer any solution to the problem but made a mockery of our union issue," he told reporters in the Parliament lobby.

He said the union will record all the speeches and forward them to all NUBE members in a formal letter.

"These (BN) MPs were very irresponsible in their statements. We will circulate what they have said to all our members," Solomon added.