FIVE people who staged a protest calling attention to a lack of protective gear for hospital cleaners will be charged under the law on communicable diseases tomorrow in Ipoh, Malaysiakini reports.

Their lawyer K. Kunasekaran said the charges were framed under the Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

The five were arrested during a protest yesterday for obstructing public servants from carrying out their duties.

The protest in front of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun was organised by the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (NUWHSAS) members, who are mostly hospital cleaners,

The protesters were employees of UEM Edgenta Bhd, which provides maintenance services to government hospitals.

The protest was called over the non-provision of personal protective equipment for hospital cleaners and their employer’s union busting activities.

The five who were arrested were released today after the magistrate’s court denied the police’s request for a four-day remand order.

Their lawyer Kunasekaran said the charge against client was unjust.

“They were using proper SOPs – masks, took the temperature, and they did everything accordingly. Their basic rights must be protected. They are doing the right thing for the frontliners.

“I’m very surprised that today police released them after we put a submission that (a four-day remand) is unfair.

“They are activists fighting for the workers, then today they are released but going to be charged tomorrow. (To me it is ) unfair,” he was quoted as saying in the Malaysiakini report.

The five are NUWHSAS executive secretary M Saraswathy, union officials L. Danaletchumy and V. Santhiran, and Parti Sosialis Malaysia members P. Jothi and C. Subramaniam@Raja.

The union represents government hospital cleaners in the northern states. – June 3, 2020.