At last week’s Malaysia Open, one name kept popping up. It was a person who was not even at the venue.
The name whispered by several top Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) officials was that of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz – the individual who some hope will lead the national body.
BAM is set to elect its new office bearers either in April or May, with all eyes on who will occupy the top seat. Tan Sri Norza Zakaria stepped down as president after the Paris Olympics last August, having been in the hot seat for seven years. He was made Honorary Life President in November.
Datuk V. Subramaniam is the acting president, but he is likely to face challengers in the upcoming elections. One of them is Putrajaya BA president Datuk Seri Khairudin Abd Samad, who has voiced his intention to stand for election.
Khairudin, also a BAM vice-president, was the team manager of the 2021 Sudirman and Thomas Cup teams.
However, Tengku Zafrul could be another option. This time, BAM’s constitution would allow him to take over the reins.
On Oct 14, 2023, when Norza stated his intention to step down, he proposed Tengku Zafrul as BAM’s acting president. The executive council voted unanimously for the latter to take over at the next council meeting in December. Norza described him then as “dynamic and progressive, and passionate about sports”.
However, it was pointed out that Tengku Zafrul couldn’t be acting president as Article 9(ii)(c) of BAM’s constitution states that if a president is unavailable to perform his duties for a certain period, the president shall appoint one of the deputy presidents as acting president.
BAM has two deputy presidents, with Subramaniam, the president of Selangor BA, receiving the nod over Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, the Kuala Lumpur BA president.
Jahaberdeen, a lawyer by profession, is seen as another likely candidate for the top post. However, he has yet to express his desire to stand for election.
So, where does that leave Tengku Zafrul and can he become president now?
Yes, as Article 9(i)(a) of BAM’s constitution states the president is elected once every four years during the annual general meeting. There is no provision to say the person has to come from the executive council.
However, would Tengku Zafrul, the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, want to become BAM president, knowing that it would mean relinquishing his Cabinet position?
On Aug 28, 2024, the Cabinet decided that “administrative members should not contest in sports bodies”. This decision had existed for several years but wasn’t fully enforced. It was made clear after Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced their intention to run for president of the Kuala Lumpur Football Association.
The situation with Tengku Zafrul is slightly different, as his second and final term as senator ends on Dec 2, 2025, and he would have to resign as a minister.
Becoming president of one of the most high-profile national bodies would keep the former banker and active sportsman in the limelight.
However, as is often the case with sports officials in Malaysia, many are willing to give soundbites, but with the “Please don’t quote me” caveat. This was true for the BAM officials, who while voicing their intention to back Tengku Zafrul, noted that there had been an earlier attempt to tarnish Subramaniam’s reputation.
In December, a poison pen letter alleged that a high-ranking BAM officer received an unauthorised allowance.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) questioned several high-ranking officials, including Subramaniam. The case is still ongoing.
Observers hope the MACC can wrap up its investigations before BAM’s elections to give all those contesting a fighting chance.