Who is the Director General of Industrial Relations?

The Director General of Industrial Relations heads the office that receives every unfair dismissal filing in Malaysia before it goes any further.

What does the title mean?

When you file a Section 20 representation, you address it to the Director General of Industrial Relations, the head of the department that handles dismissal disputes.¹

In practice, officers and staff run the office. They manage conciliation meetings and prepare the file if the case moves forward.

Why does it matter to you?

This office used to decide, together with the Minister, whether a case that failed to settle would go to the Industrial Court. That changed with a 2020 amendment.

Since that amendment took effect, the Director General refers a case that fails to settle straight to the Industrial Court, with no separate ministerial screening step.²

What does this office actually do?

For a worker, its practical role is simple: it is where your claim lives while it is processed, from filing through conciliation to referral.

Delays at this stage are common and are not a sign your case is weak. Check in now and then rather than assume silence means a problem.

If your matter has reached conciliation, read what to expect at JPPM conciliation so the meeting does not catch you off guard.

If you are considering a claim to be filed with this office, an independent employment lawyer can look at your facts and advise whether to act.