[UPDATED] MAF election: Shahidan beats Muthu to president post

KUALA LUMPUR – Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim became the new president after defeating incumbent Datuk S.M. Muthu in the Malaysian Athletic Federation’s elections at the Royal Selangor Club here today.

Shahidan won 20 votes while Muthu received 16 in a direct fight for the top post after the third candidate, Nurhayati Kassim withdrew her nomination earlier today. 

Shahidan will helm the federation for the second time having been its president from 2008 to 2012.

“I would like to thank Muthu for handling the election smoothly and with transparency. My first job as the president is to unite everyone in the federation and prioritise the athletes. We need to look into the development of the athletes from the junior to the senior level.

“We need to prepare them well for the SEA Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and also the Olympic Games. I will look into their training to see what can be done better,” he said.

Shahidan, who is also Malaysia Swimming president, added that he will hold a meeting with the affiliates next week to discuss further on any fixes required.

Shahidan has several items on his agenda for fixing Malaysian athletics, which include: 

1. Improving the welfare of the athletes and coaches;

2. Strengthening the grassroots programmes in the states; 

3. Involving the states in planning the transformation of Malaysian athletics; and 

4. Focusing on good governance within MAF and also the states.

When asked if this election was about going to war with Muthu, Shahidan said that there is no bad blood between the two as he would like the former head to continue contributing to the betterment of the sport.

Meanwhile, a defeated Muthu said that he accepts the decision of the delegates and will not contest the results, adding that he is prepared to assist the federation if needed.

“I am always happy to help and if the federation needs my assistance, I am here,” he said.

“The delegates wanted a change, and it is done. I respect their decision and will not question nor contest the outcome of the results.” 

2022-2025 MAF line-up

President: Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Perlis)

Deputy president: Datuk Fadzil A. Bakar (Melaka)

Vice-presidents: Syamsul Bani Abdullah, Josephine Chioh Hock Hua, Datuk Mark Ling and Tuan Haji Sallehudin Haji Satar. – The Vibes, June 12, 2022