AWARD

Paramalingam J Doraisamy:

Reference

[1] This is a reference made under s 20(3) of the Industrial Relations Act 1967 (Act 177), arising out of the dismissal of Choo Hock Seng (hereinafter referred to as "the Claimant") by Taurus Energy Sdn Bhd (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") on 16 February 2019.

[2] The Ministerial reference in this case required the Court to hear and determine the Claimant's complaint of dismissal by the Company on 16 February 2019.

I. Procedural History

[3] The Court received the letter pertaining to the Ministerial reference under s 20(3) of the Industrial Relations Act 1967 on 27 August 2019.

[4] The matter came up for mention on 24 September 2019, 6 November 2019, 16 July 2020, 5 October 2020, 9 October 2020, 10 May 2021, 3 September 2021 and 2 November 2021.

[5] The matter was then called up for hearing on 24 March 2022 whereupon the then counsel for the Company, Mr Rejinder Singh of Messrs. Rejinder Singh & Partners, informed the Court that the Company's representatives were absent, despite him informing the Company of the said hearing date. Mr Rejinder Singh thereafter applied orally to Court for Messrs. Rejinder Singh & Partners to discharge th