Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias has come under fire from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for allegedly threatening to deregister the umbrella organisation.
Yesterday, Twentytwo13 reported that representatives from Malaysia Electronic Sports Governance Association (MEGA) were perplexed as to why the newly-minted Sports Commissioner had repeatedly highlighted that he had the power to deregister OCM when they met him on Nov 14 to discuss registering the body under the Sports Commissioner’s Office (SCO). Suhardi, when contacted by Twentytwo13 yesterday, however, justified his actions saying he had “acted in good faith” by calling for the meeting.
OCM, had this morning, issued a statement slamming Suhardi for also drawing a parallel between OCM and the Israeli government in the ongoing conflict in Palestine, thus bringing the umbrella body into disrepute.
It said an audio clip of Suhardi allegedly threatening to deregister OCM is being shared via WhatsApp.
“I have instructed OCM secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib to make the necessary steps in lodging a strong protest over this kind of behaviour, if indeed it is true,” said OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria.
“We believe it was a conduct unbecoming of the Sports Commissioner to be making such remarks as OCM’s status in the Sports Development Act 1997 as the umbrella body of national sports association is guaranteed under Malaysian law.
“His remarks, if he indeed made it, clearly indicated malicious intent on the part of the Sports Commissioner.”
Norza added that OCM was not a party to the discussion and as such, the alleged threat was mentioned for no apparent reason.
“We do not wish to jump to conclusions, but we feel the need for the Sports Commissioner to clear the air as the alleged threat can be construed as overstepping his boundaries,” said Norza.
He added that OCM will not hesitate to take necessary action, including protesting to the Youth and Sports Minister.
On the claims that he had the power to deregister OCM, Suhardi had yesterday told Twentytwo13 that he was explaining the consequences of the law under Section 25 of the Sports Development Act.
