Tired of the constant politicking in the Malaysian athletics scene, Datuk Fadzil A. Bakar is ready to pull out from the race for the upcoming Malaysia Athletics polls.
However, Fadzil, who is Malaysia Athletics deputy president, is prepared to spill the beans if he is called up by anti-graft personnel over allegations of misappropriation of funds within the national body.
But he is not keen on lodging a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“If there is a report (lodged), I am willing to act as a witness, as I have nothing to hide. I’m tired and fed up with Malaysia Athletics,” said Fadzil, who is also the Melaka Athletics Association president.
“I want to concentrate on developing my state and business.
“I don’t plan to defend my seat as Malaysia Athletics deputy president, and I’m working with my lawyers to clear my name,” he added.
It is understood that several officials from Malaysia Athletics are considering filing a report with the MACC over allegations of misappropriation of funds related to the organisation’s Malam Anugerah Olahraga Malaysia 2024 (Awards Night).
At the centre of the storm is Fadzil, who raised the matter with Twentytwo13 on Feb 19. He subsequently received a show-cause letter.
Fadzil attended an emergency meeting on Feb 27 but walked out, claiming “it was a waste of time” as members were more focused on finding fault with him rather than identifying the culprit who submitted the alleged false claims.
Some officials are backing an independent inquiry into the national body’s accounts. They also questioned why Malaysia Athletics was quick to take action against Fadzil but delayed acting on the recommendation of a special committee, headed by Fadzil, that a council member face the disciplinary board for claims amounting to RM18,610 for the venue costs of the Awards Night, despite a sponsor having already paid for the venue.
It was also revealed that the council member had failed to follow proper procedures under Rule 18, Clause 11, which mandates approval from the finance committee for any financial activity.
Malaysia Athletics president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has denied any impropriety.
Separately, the national body will hold a council meeting tomorrow to decide on its annual general meeting (AGM) cum elections, which must be held by June 30, 2025.
However, even that is shrouded in controversy, as the Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur Athletics Association (FTKLAA) was not invited to the meeting.
FTKLAA is one of the country’s most successful associations, but under Malaysia Athletics’ new constitution, it must merge with Putrajaya and Labuan.
The Sports Commissioner’s Office (SCO) allowed Malaysia Athletics Federation to change its name to Malaysia Athletics and amend its constitution on Jan 15. But an officer from the SCO said the changes could only take effect after the AGM.
There are those who argue that FTKLAA has every right to attend the council meeting.
