ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno has questioned Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor about alleged salary arrears involving 24 staff members of Kedah Agro Holdings Bhd.
Its information chief, Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin, today expressed shock and disappointment that the company, a subsidiary of Kedah Menteri Besar Incorporated, had purportedly failed to pay its staff for six to nine months.
He said the matter had been confirmed by the human resources minister, with the Labour Department issuing a notice to Kedah Agro Holdings Bhd on the arrears.
"It's embarrassing, and I don't know where to put my face when reading about this news. How can a state-owned company treat their staff this way? They shouldn't disturb their livelihood. It's pitiful.
"Kedah Agro is a subsidiary of MBI, which is directly under the Kedah menteri besar."
Shaiful said that as menteri mesar, Sanusi must not procrastinate on such a serious issue, and that he needed to take immediate action and start an investigation.
"As a state government that upholds Islamic teachings, Kedah should understand the importance of fulfilling trust and protecting individual rights."
Earlier today, it was reported that a notice had been submitted in January to Kedah Agro Holdings to clear salary arrears of up to nine months.
Human Resource Minister Steven Sim said the federal government would not compromise on the issue of unpaid wages.
Sim said the company would hold a meeting with the Kedah menteri besar on the issue today.
Yesterday, a viral post claimed that a subsidiary of Kedah Menteri Besar Incorporated had failed to pay 23 of its staff for six to nine months.
The post shared a response letter from the state secretary proving that Kedah Agro Holdings lacked the funds to pay salaries.
Shaiful hoped that there would be a swift resolution to the issue.
"What's most important is the restoration of the workers' rights. Hopefully, they will receive their overdue salary soon."
The 'New Straits Times' attempted to contact Kedah Agro Sdn Bhd's office but has not received a response at the time of writing.
