8.2 – Employment Practice

8.2.2 – Employment Practice Unions

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) recognises unions for all, including women and international staff. All unions at UKM are officially registered and represent staff at every level, including academic, professional, and support staff.

For Academic Staff, the UKM Academic Staff Association (PKAUKM) is open to all, including international members of any nationality. For Professional Staff, the Administrative and Professional Officers Association (PERTADI) is available.

Support Staff have several unions, reflecting UKM’s commitment to valuing their contributions and ensuring their voices are heard. These include the Administrative and Operations Assistants Association (PTPO), UKM Secretaries Association (PSUKM), UKM General Staff Union (KESUKMA), UKM Security Officers Association (PAKAT), and UKM Assistant Administrative Officers Association (PERPENTA).

For Women Staff, the UKM Women’s Association (SUKMANITA) shows UKM’s ongoing support for women. The Retirees Associations (PPUKM)  also serve their members.

ACADEMIC STAFF

UKM Academic Staff Association (PKAUKM)

The UKM Academic Staff Association, also known as PKAUKM, serves as the best platform for academic members to collectively advance the development of higher education in the country. 

In line with its motto, “Caring for Members’ Welfare,” PKAUKM symbolises the aspirations of academics in seeking protection should their fundamental rights as educators and lecturers be compromised. PKAUKM took its first steps in the early 1980s, ensuring the welfare of academia. At that time, the main focus was on educating the nation’s youth to face the new era, both in terms of competence and national identity, in the workforce.

Examples of Activities Organised by PKAUKM in 2023:

The picture shows a poster for the webinar ‘Associate Professor Promotion Clinic Program’. 

This picture shows a poster for the webinar ‘Publication Tips from Supervising Student Projects’.

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Administrative and Professional Officers Association (PERTADI)

The Administrative and Professional Officers Association, or PERTADI for short, was officially inaugurated by Y.B. Tan Sri Dr. Anuwar bin Mahmud, Vice-Chancellor of UKM, on August 15, 1977. The ceremony was held in the Senate Room at UKM, and was also attended by senior UKM officers, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, the Registrar, the Treasurer, and the Chief Librarian.

PERTADI initiated the Buletin Ilham, published quarterly in digital format, as a platform for members to showcase their talents in writing short stories, poems, and novels, as well as to report their participation in various activities. These contributions are shared with all members, allowing them to engage and celebrate each other’s achievements.

Buletin Ilham Edition 2/2023:

Examples of Activities Organised and Participated by PERTADI in 2023:

SUPPORT STAFF:

Administrative and Operations Assistants Association (PTPO)

The Administrative and Operations Assistants Association (PTPO) was established following a meeting and discussion between Mr. Muhammad Yazid bin Othman, Ms. Noor Darlina Kasumawati Mohd Yusof, and Mr. Abdul Rahman Mohd Nordin, President of KESUKMA, on September 29, 2017.

PTPO is an active union, consistently organising activities to enhance the skills of its members.

Examples of Activities Organised by PTPO in 2023:

UKM Secretaries Association (PSUKM)

The UKM Administrative Secretarial Assistants Association, now known as PSUKM, was established in 2001. It began with an Ad-hoc Committee in April, which held meetings and prepared a proposal for approval by the university. Finally, on October 17, 2001, PSUKM was successfully established with the approval of MPU No. 39/2001. Alhamdulillah, it has continued to thrive and now has nearly 200 members, including Associate Members. The founder of PSUKM, Puan Salmah Kasmani, along with her colleagues, worked tirelessly until PSUKM was officially formed in 2002. In its early days, PSUKM successfully organised the first National Secretarial Seminar. To this day, PSUKM continues to hold the seminar every two years. The UKM Administrative Secretarial Assistants Association has since been rebranded as the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Secretaries Association (PSUKM).

Examples of Activities Organised by PSUKM in 2023:

PSUKM recently completed an official visit to the USM Secretaries Club to establish communication networks between the two public university secretarial associations.

UKM General Staff Union (KESUKMA)

The Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia General Staff Union, or KESUKMA for short, was registered on April 19, 1977, under the Trade Unions Act 1959 with registration number 519 in Selangor. Its history began as the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia General Staff Association [PERKAM], which was established in 1972. It has since evolved from an association into a trade union representing nearly 2,000 support staff members from Groups I and II at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Examples of Activities Organised by KESUKMA in 2023:

Members of KESUKMA UKM participated in the Madani Government One Year Anniversary Programme

KESUKMA UKM organised the Career Enhancement Program for Support Staff in Technological Evolution 2023 at Hotel Seri Malaysia Terengganu

UKM Security Officers Association (PAKAT)

PAKAT is the association for all security officers at UKM, with a primary focus on the welfare of its members. The association plays a vital role in assisting its members by safeguarding their well-being and acting as a liaison between employees and employers.

Examples of Activities Organised by PAKAT in 2023:

This picture shows  PAKAT representatives visiting a UKM Bangi security officer, Mr. Mohd Hafizi Ahmad Termizi, who was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a broken leg.

UKM Assistant Administrative Officers Association (PERPENTA)

Purpose of the Association:
To enhance professionalism, empower the members’ voice, strengthen relationships among members, promote career development, and advocate for the welfare of its members.

Role of the Association:
To represent members on work-related issues, organise development programs, training, and courses to improve members’ skills in governance, office management, and the latest technologies. Additionally, PERPENTA provides counselling or advice on career and personal development issues, including assistance in overcoming challenges in the work environment.

It also encourages members to consistently uphold good work ethics and maintain professionalism in all aspects of their work.

Examples of Activities Organised by PERPENTA in 2023:

This picture shows a poster for the forum ‘Scheduled Tax Deductions (PCB) for Civil Servants: Are You Clear?’ organised by the KESUKMA in collaboration with the PERPENTA.

WOMEN STAFF

UKM Women’s Association (SUKMANITA)

The Women’s Association of the University (UKM), or better known as SUKMANITA, was officially registered on March 23, 1982. The members of SUKMANITA consist of female UKM staff and the wives of UKM staff. This voluntary association is actively involved in charitable, religious, health, educational, and community activities. 

SUKMANITA initiated SUARANITA, an e-bulletin designed to showcase a variety of topics, including featuring prominent women figures

SUARANITA Edition 76/2023:

Examples of Activities Organised by SUKMANITA in 2023:

RETIREES

UKM Retirees Association (PPUKM)

The establishment of the UKM Retirees Association (PPUKM) was officially registered by the Registrar of Societies Malaysia, effective from September 22, 2010.

It is an association that reunites all former UKM staff who have retired, allowing them to maintain and foster close ties with UKM. Through this association, various activities can be planned and carried out for the benefit and welfare of UKM retirees.

Examples of Activities Organised by PPUKM in 2023:

This picture shows the Healthy Senior Chair Exercise Activity and 10,000 Steps PAWE@UKM event organised by the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) UKM and the UKM Retirees Association (PPUKM).