8.2 – Employment Practice

8.2.2 – Employment Practice Unions

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.

Table shows list of unions in UKM 

No.	Name of Unions
1.	UKM Academic Staff Association (PKAUKM)
2.	Administrative and Professional Officers Association (PERTADI)
3.	Administrative and Operations Assistants Association (PTPO)
4.	UKM Secretaries Association (PSUKM)
5.	UKM General Staff Union (KESUKMA)
6.	UKM Security Officers Association (PAKAT)
7.	UKM Assistant Administrative Officers Association (PERPENTA)
8.	UKM Women’s Association (SUKMANITA)
9.	UKM Retirees Association (PPUKM)

1. 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.

2. 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 Bulletin 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.

Bulletin Ilham Edition 1/2024 Link:

www.ukm.my/pertadi/buletin-ilham-edisi-1-tahun-2024/

Source: www.ukm.my/pertadi/news/

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 77/2024 Link: www.ukm.my/sukmanita/suaranita/

9. 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.