Malaysia Athletics’ emergency council meeting this afternoon ended with a whimper as president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (main image) kept mum on whether the association would take any action against his deputy, Datuk Fadzil A. Bakar.
Fadzil received a show-cause letter yesterday for speaking to the press, giving him 24 hours to respond, but he replied the same day.
He attended today’s emergency council meeting but walked out as he felt it was a waste of time.
The show-cause letter came after Fadzil told Twentytwo13 last week that 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 states that all financial activities require approval from the finance committee.
After the emergency meeting today, Shahidan evaded repeated questions from journalists about the show-cause letter and his deputy.
Asked if the council discussed the letter and his deputy, Shahidan, who is also Arau MP, said: “It was a normal meeting.
“We discussed many things about the association. What is important is that we wanted to assure the sponsors that nothing untoward happened. The sponsors are happy, and we are happy.”
Shahidan then added: “We will have another meeting on March 6 to finalise the date for the AGM. I would prefer it to be in April.”
Malaysia Athletics has until June 30 to call for the AGM.
Shahidan had on Wednesday denied any misappropriation of funds as the payment was made to the council member and promised stern action if there were any wrongdoings.
Fadzil today said: “I walked out of the meeting as it was a waste of time. I leave it up to them to decide my fate. I’m fed up”.
But expect things to heat up on March 6 at the next council meeting to decide the date of the AGM.
There are moves to nominate Datuk Wira Mark Ling of Sarawak to challenge Shahidan.
When approached, Ling joked: “You want to back me? I’m happy where I am at the moment. Come and talk to me on the (March) 6.”
