Kuala lumpur: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has congratulated Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor on his election as president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC), expressing confidence in his ability to lead the organisation. Sim said Abdul Halim's 40 years of experience in the trade union movement positioned him well to defend the rights and welfare of Malaysian workers. 'I believe he will lead MTUC with wisdom and determination in upholding the dignity of workers,' he said in an Instagram post today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sim also invited the newly elected MTUC leadership to visit him at Wisma Pekerja to renew collaboration with the ministry. 'MTUC remains a strategic partner in formulating fair, progressive and worker-focused policies,' he said. Abdul Halim secured 227 votes to win the presidency during MTUC's recent delegates' conference, narrowly defeating Mohd Effendy Abdul Ghani of the Union of Clerical and Postal Workers of Pos Malaysia Bhd (UPCW), who garnered 218 votes.

The election was held following a Court of Appeal ruling on Feb 21, which directed MTUC to have fresh leadership polls within 90 days. The re-election process was managed by a Special Joint Committee (JBK).