To date, we have written seven (7) letters on the OSH violations that is being committed by HSBC Bank thus far. The CEO Mr Mukhtar Malik Hussain, the highest-ranking officer in HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd is yet to respond to us to our letter.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 1994 and the Safety and Health Committee Regulations 1996, Part V is a legislation and must be complied with by HSBC but it looks like Mr Mukhtar Malik Hussain is turning a blind eye towards the intentions of the Malaysian Parliament to protect workers’ health and safety at the work place.

Today, we have highlighted to Mr Mukhtar that he is in breached of Regulation 30 (b) of the Act, where he failed to comply with the mandatory requirement to furnish or make available the industry codes of practice and guidelines relating to the elimination of risks to safety and health associated with the nature of work carried out, and such other relevant codes of practice.

Regulations 32 of the Act states that a person who has breached this regulation shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction, will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM 5,000.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.

Mr Mukhtar’s failure to comply with the OSH law has resulted in many HSBC workers suffering from lower and upper back related pain and illnesses. When workers then take sick leave as a result of the pain, they are cautioned for taking too many sick leaves.

Such lackadaisical conduct by CEO, Mr Mukhtar Malik Hussain of purportedly the “World’s Local Bank” will only further erode the public confidence in HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd.

Let’s see if they have any dignity left in them to correct the situation.