PSM deputy chairman S Arutchelvan had earlier accused Sivanesan of being pro-employer and anti-union, saying the latter’s remarks were one-sided and that he had not met with the union involved in the dispute.

Sivanesan, state human resources, health, Indian community affairs and national integration committee chairman in response, said that his long involvement in labour unions shows the allegation is untrue.

He said he served as secretary in several public and private sector unions, was a former Malaysian Trades Union Congress vice-president and a Cuepacs council member, and continued representing workers and unions in industrial relations cases even after becoming a lawyer.

“The unions and employees know that I have never represented any employer in my life. So to call me pro-employer is actually defamatory,” he told FMT when contacted.

However, Sivanesan said that since joining the state government, he has had to remain neutral in labour matters.

He said being in charge of the health portfolio also requires him to protect the reputation of public healthcare facilities, including Manjung Hospital.

On the dispute itself, Sivanesan said the matter was between the worker and contractor UEMS Edgenta, and that the union should have filed a report with the labour department instead of lodging a police report days after the alleged incident.

“The police investigated the matter and found that there is insufficient evidence (to act) under the Penal Code.

“They found that it is work-related (dispute), so they referred the matter to the labour department,” he added.