Malaysia Athletics (MA) deputy president Datuk Fadzil A. Bakar (main image), says the national body is in a mess, and changes are needed for it to become relevant again.
He also alleged that the president, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, ignored recommendations to refer a member to the disciplinary board over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Fadzil also opposed suggestions that the current office-bearers serve an additional year in line with the amended but yet-to-be-adopted constitution, which extends the office-bearers’ terms from three to four years, with a limit of two terms. Previously, it was a maximum of three three-year terms.
The amended constitution follows the Malaysia Athletics Federation’s name change to Malaysia Athletics on Jan 15. Yesterday, an officer from the Sports Commissioner’s Office told Twentytwo13 that the constitutional changes are only supposed to take effect after the annual general meeting (AGM).
“There is no issue with extending the number of years in office, but that should only come after we hold our AGM by June 30. We were elected under the old constitution and should follow that,” said Fadzil, president of the Melaka Athletics Association.
“Most council members are against the extension.”
Regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds, Fadzil said a special committee was set up on July 29, 2024, to ‘review the expenses for the Malam Anugerah Olahraga Malaysia 2024 (Awards Night)’
The committee wanted to know why a member had asked to be reimbursed RM18,610 as payment for the venue when a sponsor had already paid the hotel, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, in full.
The committee also said the member did not follow the “laws and regulations made under Rule 18, clause 11”, which stated that all financial activities needed approval from the finance committee.
“The committee recommended that the council member face the disciplinary board and explain the expenses, but the president ignored it,” claimed Fadzil.
Besides being deputy president, Fadzil was appointed to the national body’s finance committee in a council meeting on July 2, 2024. But on Dec 10, 2024, the association’s organisational chart showed Sallerudin Satar as the new finance chairman.
“I was appointed by the council and have not received any notice of my removal from that position,” said Fadzil.
“The change came after I raised issues regarding the expenses for Malam Anugerah Olahraga Malaysia.
“Honestly, I am fed up. I wanted to quit, but the other council members told me I must not give in. We must fight for what is right. That is why we want the elections to go on so we can clean up the association,” he added.
It is understood that Shahidan met Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias this evening. It remains unclear if the meeting was in relation to the upcoming AGM.
