The Registrar of Societies (ROS) has confirmed that it has suspended the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

This is following a probe brought on by complaints it received on July 2, alleging poor management of the union umbrella body.

In a statement tonight, it said it had on Dec 18, issued a notice giving the MTUC 30 days to explain why it should not be deregistered.

The suspension was to ensure that no other rules were broken by the MTUC pending the explanation.

Last week, MTUC Sarawak secretary Andrew Lo made a serious claim the MTUC had not fully convened a full General Council meeting ever since the elections of the current top officials in 2016.

"The General Council is the supreme authority of MTUC and comprises of all affiliates unions and divisions of MTUC and must meet at least once in six months," he said in a statement on Dec 11.

Another union source also told Malaysiakini the MTUC leadership had, in fact, received a show-cause letter from the ROS about two months ago for its failure to conduct meetings as prescribed.

The MTUC, which was formed in 1949, is an umbrella body with union affiliates representing major industries and sectors and boasts approximately 500,000 members.

In a statement issued prior to the one by ROS, MTUC secretary-general J Solomon (photo) said the union congress will cooperate fully once it has received the registrar's letter.

He also claimed to be unaware why action was being taken against the MTUC as a meeting with Selangor ROS today shed little light on the situation.

"MTUC is in the dark over the reason behind the notification for temporary suspension pending the response from the union," said Solomon. 

"In the meantime, MTUC’s services to workers and affiliates will go on as normal."