Farewell, Jamaluddin Mat Isa

Jamaluddin Mat Isa, former General Secretary (1964 – 1991) of the Malay Forest Officers Union Malaysia (MFOU), passed away peacefully on 15 March 2021 at the age of 85. He was a well-known leader, especially among friends in IFBWW / BWI, for his continuous efforts in improving the salary scale and pension benefits of forest guards and rangers. 

Under his leadership, the union contributed to the amendment of the government’s “schemes of services,” which among others, recognised the forest guards as permanent positions and public servants entitled to better salaries and pension benefits.

Jamaluddin was also elected as General Secretary of CUEPACS (1967 – 1986), appointed as Industrial Court Panel Member and Employees’ Representative in the EPF Board (1979 – 1986) and Employees’ Representative of Malaysia’s government to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) meetings (1982 – 1986). In 1991, he made the historic move for MFOU to become an official affiliate of the IFBWW (BWI), with the support from the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC). He continued to work for MFOU as Executive Secretary from 1991 to 2014.

He will be always remembered by his colleagues far and wide for his extensive contributions to the trade union movement.