SEVERAL delegates of the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) claim the reply from the OCM over complaints involving misconduct, governance, and election procedures in the MCA was ‘funny’ and failed to address the issues.
MCA president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali had earlier written to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) highlighting several discrepancies in the emergency and annual general meetings held on April 13 and 27 respectively.
Among the issues raised include why certain states were denied the rights to vote though all their relevant fees to the MCA had all been settled.
“In his letter to the OCM, Mohammed Iqbal called for a thorough probe and said he was ready to cooperate and render any assistance necessary.
“What is surprising is that in OCM’s reply, it claimed it did not have the jurisdiction to act on the complaints but stated that the April 13 EGM and April 27 AGM were both carried out in order,” said a delegate.
The OCM claimed that their general manager Fong Wan Hor had attended both meetings as a scrutineer and was satisfied over the way they were conducted.
“This is clearly puzzling. First the OCM says they do not have jurisdiction over the matter, then they say the EGM and AGM were conducted in order.
“The OCM did not even set up any independent investigation nor call any of the delegates to record their statements.
“This a serious matter as it concerned the forging of signatures in a plot to overthrow the rightful president … even police reports were lodged,” added the delegate.
Another delegate said the OCM should have at least called them to hear their sides of the story and not only listen to their GM before reaching a conclusion.
The delegate pointed out that there was a conflict of interest.
Datuk Ahmad Feisal Ahmad Tajuddin who is the vice-president of MCA was the self-appointed acting president during the controversial AGM on April 27. He is also the Treasurer of the OCM.
“During the April 27 meeting, he was among those who defended the controversial AGM and even accused the rightful president (Mohammed Iqbal) of 'interfering' in association matters," said the delegate.
Another delegate who attended the meeting had also told The Vibes that certain individuals led by past president Mahinda Vallipuram and Ahmad Feisal allegedly pushed through motions that were not even listed on the official agenda.
Another delegate pointed out that since Mohammed Iqbal was elected as the president in May 2021, MCA has achieved numerous local and international milestones, while the new team under Mohamad Iqbal's leadership also successfully turned around the MCA's financials.
"When the new leadership took over, MCA’s turnover was around RM1.2 million, but they managed to raise it to about RM9 to RM10 million now," revealed the delegate.
The delegate said MCA has functioned independently all these years without much assistance from the government and has yet achieved major strides for the sport and the nation.
A state chairman told The Vibes that the right thing to do now, which is in accordance with the Sports Development Act 1997 is to bring this matter to the attention of the Sports Dispute Committee. The Sports Commissioner sits as the secretary of the committee.
How is MCA hosting tournaments?
“This matter has gone too far. Though Mahinda is not the rightful president, the MCA is hosting major tournaments.
“How are they doing this? Where are they getting the funds and who is authorising all this?” asked the state chairman.
He claimed that Mahinda and his committee were now trying to ‘get close’ to the Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh and sweep the entire matter under the carpet though they were not legally voted in.
The state chairman said many of the states remained quiet over the matter as they feared the repercussions.
“The states fear that speaking up may affect their sports development grants, tournament funding and other matters … this is why they are quiet,” he added.
The state chairman said the speed in the OCM’s ‘non-responsive response’ has brought into question their independence.
“It is an obvious conflict of interest where Ahmad Feisal, who is also seen as a close ally OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria has been accused of being one of the key figures in the supposed 'coup' attempt in MCA.
“He had also gone on to initiate legal action against the MCA president and Exco members while appointing himself acting president.
“Is OCM's leadership part of the attempt to take over the MCA? Some of those in the sports fraternity have accused OCM’s leadership of doing the same in the appointment of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president,” said the state chairman.
He said calls are growing for the minister (Hannah Yeoh) to stop the politicisation and manipulation of sports in this country - the last bastion for national development and unity.
The Vibes has since reached out to the OCM and is awaiting a reply. – June 16, 2025
