Former Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) president Tan Sri Zainal Rampak died early this morning at the age of 84. MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor said he was informed that the former senator breathed his last at 2.30 am at Selayang Hospital, Selangor, believed due to old age. The deceased, a native of Tanjung Kling, Melaka, was laid to rest at the USJ 22 Muslim Cemetery in Subang Jaya this morning. 'The late Zainal set high standards for MTUC leadership as he was very firm on worker-related issues. He was deeply concerned about the welfare of workers, dedicated his life to fighting for their rights and never hesitated to speak out against any injustice. 'Despite his firmness, he was also very empathetic and considerate towards workers. In fact, whenever there were issues, he was always willing to meet with the relevant authorities and ensure that appropriate actions were taken swiftly,' he said when contacted today. Kamarul Baharin said that Zainal's dedication to workers' causes also led to his appointment as Dewan Negara senator in December 1998 to represent trade unions. Zainal, who served as a senator until 2005, was the second MTUC president to be appointed member of the Senate after S.P.S. Nathan, who was appointed senator in 1963. His unwavering commitment and significant contributions to workers earned him the title 'Bapa Pekerja Malaysia' (Father of Malaysian Workers) from MTUC on May 1, 1997. The late Zainal, who served as MTUC president for 18 years starting in 1986, was also a member of the International Labour Organisation Governing Body from 2000 to 2004 and the chairman of the International Transport Workers Federation's Asia-Pacific regional committee from 2001 to 2009. He also served as the secretary-general of the ASEAN Trade Union Council from 1996 to 2004. Source: BERNAMA News Agency