KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed its support today for local journalist union chief Mohamed Hata Wahari’s appeal against his termination by Utusan Malaysia.

Hata said last Monday that the Malay daily had sacked him on April 21, a week after the Umno-owned paper’s disciplinary inquiry said he was guilty of breaching the terms of his contract.

“The IFJ joins the NUJM (National Union of Journalists Malaysia) in calling on Malaysia’s Human Resources Minister to act promptly in referring Wahari’s appeal to the Industrial Court,” said IFJ in a statement today.

Hata (picture) has said the Utusan letter dated April 21 stated that the three-man domestic inquiry panel had decided to sack him with immediate effect for making statements to online news portals that damaged the credibility of the newspaper.

Hata has 14 days from the notice date to appeal the decision.

It is unclear if Hata will be allowed to keep his National Union of Journalists (NUJ) president post following his dismissal, but the senior newsman said he was confident the union will continue to support him.

He has vowed to continue leading the union for greater media freedom.