A day after seven of 11 affiliates declared they have lost confidence in Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) president Rachel Lau, the national body replaced its secretary.
Former national gymnast Afrita Ariany Nasril, who was handpicked for the post by Lau, was relieved of her duties with immediate effect by the president.
“I received an email stating I was removed as secretary. The president has the discretion to do so,” said Afrita.
“As such, I feel it is not right for me to comment on the letters of no support sent by the affiliates as I’m no longer part of the system.”
Seven affiliates – Penang, Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak, Melaka and Terengganu – had submitted a jointly signed letter to Afrita, urging an extraordinary general meeting as soon as possible.
Afrita alleged she was removed from her post for accepting the letters.
Terengganu Gymnastics Association president A. Razak Mat Amin, a former MGF president, had alleged Lau had made decisions on her own as well as abused her power over several issues as reported by Bernama yesterday.
Lau, also a former national gymnast, took over MGF in February 2019 for a two-year term after incumbent Datuk Jaya Al Bakri did not defend the post.
Early this year, MGF was embroiled in another controversy when deputy president Kau Git Kaur was suspended for allegedly being involved in a drug party.
Kau, who won Malaysia’s first ever SEA Games gold medal in gymnastics in 1991, has since challenged the decision.
He also threatened to sue Lau for the manner of his suspension as she didn’t call for an inquiry before suspending him “based on newspaper reports”.
He also alleged MGF owed him money dating as far back as 2014, something which Lau disputed.
His arrest opened a can of worms as it exposed the infighting within the national body, although Lau dismissed those allegations.
It remains to be seen if the seven will force through their agenda of removing Lau before next year’s annual general meeting in March.
