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 Ku Soon Hook (hereinafter referred to as "the Claimant") by SDP Packaging Sdn Bhd (hereinafter referred to as "the Company") on 29 April 2020.

[2] The Ministerial reference in this case required the Court to hear and determine the Claimant's complaint of dismissal by the Company on 29 April 2020.

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 22 October 2020.

[4] The matter was fixed for mention on 7 December 2020, 19 April 2021, 29 September 2021, 27 January 2022, 27 February 2022, 14 March 2022 and 16 March 2022.

[5] The trial proceeded before the then learned Chairman of Court No 16 (Johor Bahru), Puan Noor Hayati Binti Haji Mat, on 3 November 2021, 14 November 2021 and concluded on 17 November 2021. This case was heard together with two other cases, namely Case No 16/4-2410/20 (Ng Chih Chung v. SDP Packaging Sdn Bhd) and Case No 16/4-2412/20 (Han Lit Chaw v. SDP Packaging Sdn Bhd).

[6] Due to the learned Chairman Puan N