FORMER Malaysia Cricket Association (MCA) president Mohammad Iqbal Ali Bin Kassim Ali said he and two other Exco members will continue rejecting any compromise and adhere strictly to the principles of fairness and integrity
He along with Dr. Arun Kumar Beshamber Nath, and Amarjeet Singh issued a statement to reaffirm their position following the MCA’s media release on October 24, 2025.
“For the sake of clarity and public understanding, let it be stated plainly: our approach has always been guided by respect for the legal process, trust in the Malaysian courts, and an uncompromising commitment to seeing this matter through to its proper conclusion,” they said.
In their Oct 24 statement signed by Richard Tan Wuu Chyau, the MCA Honorary Secretary, the MCA claimed that certain online publications had resorted to sensationalism, misleading headlines, and unverified claims based on anonymous sources, while failing to seek confirmation, clarification, or comment from the MCA Executive Committee.
"The MCA considers such reporting to constitute irresponsible journalism, carried out without regard for accuracy, fairness, or professional ethics, and appearing to be driven by malice and intent to mislead,".
The MCA said it has referred the matter to its solicitors and will seek their advice on further actions against those responsible for the publication of these articles.
MCA claimed these articles had caused serious reputational harm to the State Associations, its Affiliates, Associates, National Players, duly elected Executive Committee members and also bringing the game of cricket to disrepute.
Earlier reports of conspiracy
In July this year, the High Court dismissed an application by the MCA seeking an injunction against five of its members that they are no longer executive committee members and cannot act as such.
Justice Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan dismissed the application on the basis that the plaintiff failed to provide any evidence that the defendants had taken steps to hold themselves out as the Exco of MCA.
It was earlier reported that Datuk Ahmad Feisal, who is the Vice President of MCA and the Honorary Treasurer of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, had accused the defendants – one of whom, is Mohammed Iqbal and the other committee members of meddling in the association’s affairs despite their public resignations.
In addition to Iqbal, he named Dr Arun Kumar, Amarjeet Singh, Mahnorizal Mahat and Ahmad Salman Othman as the committee members (defendants).
Mohammed Iqbal had resigned as the MCA president on April 13 but withdrew it and said he would continue in his role for the remainder of his current term.
The Vibes had earlier reported that there was a conspiracy by certain members to overthrow the MCA leadership which was then led by Iqbal (president) and Dr Arun Kumar (deputy).
This follows claims by a state vice-president that his signature was forged in a requisition form by Perak Cricket to remove Iqbal and Dr Arun Kumar.
No settlement sought
Iqbal said no settlement of any kind has ever been sought, and they remain fully committed to fighting this matter honourably and transparently.
“It is also vital to set the record straight once and for all: we did not initiate these proceedings. The plaintiff in this case is Ahmad Feisal.
“We did not drag anyone to court, nor did we pursue litigation as a strategy — despite the misleading narratives being circulated to the wider fraternity.
“We stand in this matter as defendants, not plaintiff(s), and it is therefore both perplexing and deeply disappointing to witness continued attempts to distort public perception and shift the optics of this situation,” he said.
He stressed that the three of them remain fully committed to pursuing this matter within the boundaries of the law, with patience, discipline and belief that the judicial process will ultimately illuminate all relevant facts.
"We acknowledge that two of our former colleagues made the decision to settle on economic grounds after expending substantial amounts of personal resources. They stood in the same corner throughout from the get-go for as long as they could.
“We, however, will not deviate from this course,” he said.
He pointed out that recent controversies across Malaysian sports have only reinforced why such steadfastness is necessary.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is now facing global scrutiny after FIFA imposed sanctions stemming from naturalisation and documentation issues — raising serious questions about oversight, governance, and responsibility.
“Likewise, Malaysia Athletics has drawn national and international criticism after reinstating an individual who still holds a life ban.
“These incidents have deeply unsettled athletes, stakeholders, and the public, who now openly question how sports governance in Malaysia is being managed — and how easily it can be exploited or compromised,” he said.
These situations demand a sober reflection: Is Malaysian Cricket experiencing similar vulnerabilities? Or worse?” he asked.
“Too often, in Malaysian sport, we see polished narratives that later unravel — proving that sometimes, quite simply, “nothing is ever as it seems.”
“Our path forward remains clear and firm. We will continue to honour the authority of the Court, allow the legal process to unfold without interference, and uphold the highest standard of integrity expected of individuals entrusted with responsibility in sport.
“This is not an act of defiance — it is an act of duty. A duty to cricket, to the wider Malaysian sporting fraternity, and to the fundamental principles of accountability and truth.
“The three of us remain committed, resolute, and focused. We will see this through to the very end,” he added. – November 19, 2025
