Now that the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA) elections are over, the stakeholders need to put a line under the unsavoury incidents that led up to the annual general meeting (AGM) being postponed twice.
However, it remains unlikely that I. Vickneswaran (main image, standing), and his rival, Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin, will mend fences, as the latter may seek to overturn the results of yesterday’s elections at Wisma OCM.
Speaking of results, in 30 years of reporting, this was the first time this scribe attended an election where there was no breakdown of the votes after voting. Only the winners’ names were announced for each position. This is simply unacceptable.
Imagine what would have happened at the last general election if the Election Commission of Malaysia announced that a candidate had defeated another for a parliamentary seat but did not give the breakdown of the votes. That will never happen, as it is a basic protocol to give the breakdown.
There was no issue in Vickneswaran’s case, as he was returned unopposed as president after Megat Shahriman was ruled ineligible to contest due to irregularities with his nomination form. Two members of Megat Shahriman’s team – Fariz Mustafa and Ajitpal Singh – were also not allowed to contest.
However, there were contests for several other positions, and it would have been proper to record how the affiliates voted.
As mentioned earlier, the AGM was twice postponed. KLHA had initially called for an AGM on Dec 28, 2024. However, a letter dated Dec 24, 2024, explained it would be delayed because it had not received “the audited accounts from the external auditors”.
On Jan 25, 2025, the AGM was once again postponed after several candidates and members were initially denied entry to the meeting, held in a hotel.
Two days earlier, Vickneswaran told a press conference that KLHA found issues with three signatures on the nominations from the Megat Shahriman-led Kuala Lumpur Hockey Sports Education Association (HockAcademy).
There were allegations that ‘bouncers’ were employed to stop candidates from entering the venue on Jan 25, but Vickneswaran said they were volunteers and people should not generalise those who were “big-sized and have tattoos, as bouncers or gangsters”.
At yesterday’s AGM, there were gentlemen with sidearm sitting outside the meeting hall. Vickneswaran later clarified that KLHA had invited police officers to the meeting.
Asked why Megat Shahriman and two of his team were disqualified, Vickneswaran told the media yesterday: “The nomination forms were rejected because the same person nominated and seconded the candidates. According to the rules, two different names are required.”
Megat Shahriman, an experienced administrator – he is a former KLHA president and current Malaysia Paralympic Council and Malaysia Para Swimming Association president – should have ensured all the forms were in order before submitting the names to KLHA.
However, he argued: “How was it there was no issue of me contesting in December, but suddenly in January and February, they found mistakes?
“Why didn’t KLHA issue or post a list of eligible candidates before the elections? I only found out I was disqualified during the AGM.”
Vickneswaran said KLHA had sent a letter to HockAcademy on Jan 23 to inform them that three of its nominees had been disqualified from contesting in the AGM.
While initially hesitant to show proof of the letter, as the KLHA secretary said it was “an internal matter”, it must be pointed out that on Jan 23, KLHA showed the media the nomination forms from HockAcademy, revealing the name and personal details – including the MyKad number – of one of the nominees.
Vickneswaran, to his credit, showed the media the email sent to HockAcademy.
Vickneswaran said that with KLHA’s finances in order, he would work closely with Kuala Lumpur City Hall to get a new pitch for the Pantai Hockey Stadium.
Megat Shahriman, for his part, called KLHA officials “cowards” and vowed to make a comeback.
It’s not too late for these two headstrong administrators to find common ground.
Mistakes were made on both sides, but for the sake of KLHA, the two rivals should find a way to work together.
KLHA office bearers (2024-2026)
President: I. Vickneswaran
Deputy president: Joherman Amir
Vice-president: Datuk Rosal Azimin Ahmad, Nasrun Mustapha, Jasbere Singh, S. Balakrishnan, Hebzibah Sudin
Treasurer: Datuk Hasry Sham Chaemen
Secretary: S. Vignesvaran
