KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Athletics will hold a council meeting tomorrow amid growing speculation that members may push for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) – the first step towards removing Datuk Karim Ibrahim (image) as president.
Karim, and the national body, have come under scrutiny following leaked audio recordings suggesting that World Athletics had raised governance concerns within Malaysia Athletics and allegedly called for reforms.
The recordings, purportedly from a council meeting on April 9, indicate that World Athletics sought details on the process behind Karim’s election and requested a “concrete roadmap” to align the association’s constitution with international rules.
They also suggested that World Athletics had informed Malaysia Athletics of Karim’s suspension on Oct 7, 2020.
Malaysia Athletics deputy president Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, who was allegedly heard in the recordings, confirmed to Twentytwo13 that World Athletics had sent two letters dated Jan 14 and March 10.
Wan Hisham said he read the letters during the April 9 meeting but maintained it was not appropriate to disclose their contents at this stage. He confirmed Malaysia Athletics has replied.
Twentytwo13 understands that athletics associations in Perlis, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka have written to Malaysia Athletics, raising concerns over how it handled correspondence from the world body – particularly a three-month delay in acknowledging receipt of the letter.
If World Athletics determines that Malaysia Athletics breached its rules on Karim’s eligibility, the national body could face a ban.
Karim was suspended by World Athletics, then known as the International Association of Athletics Federations, in 2018, with the decision later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. However, Karim has denied claims that he was banned for life.
The recordings also alleged that Karim would pursue legal action if removed, arguing that he was constitutionally elected following amendments to the Malaysia Athletics constitution approved by the Sports Commissioner on Jan 15, 2025.
One amendment allows members to contest elections after serving a maximum five-year suspension, paving the way for Karim’s return.
However, the amendments have since come under scrutiny.
World Athletics Member Federation Rule 6.5.1 states that each federation must submit its constitution to the world body’s chief executive officer within three months of approval, whether amended or new.
It remains unclear whether this requirement was met.
