Athletes’ safety, well-being clearly not govt’s top priority: Safe Sport Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – The implementation of the Safe Sport Act is not the government’s top priority, despite claims that the Youth and Sports Ministry is focusing on athletes’ safety and well-being, a stakeholder said.

Speaking to The Vibes, Safe Sport Malaysia president Sarina Sundara Rajah said that the government’s unwillingness to move forward in implementing the Safe Sport Act shows that the safety and well-being of everyone involved in sports are not the top priority.

This comes following Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh’s decision to not table a safe sport bill, but pledge to enshrine its provision in a code that could be implemented by March.

“I am surprised the ministry is not pushing for the act because it can help our athletes, officials, and whoever the victims are in the sports fraternity.

She added that results from a survey commissioned by former youth and sports minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu via Institute For Youth Research Malaysia in early 2022 revealed disturbing levels of abuse in sports, which continues to go unchecked. 

“Unfortunately, this report will not be available to its stakeholders and the public,” said Sarina.

The survey sought to better understand the athletes’ experiences and the extent of abuse in sports, following numerous highly publicised cases, including allegations of rape and sexual assault and other issues such as discrimination, bullying, and abuse of power.

The former national gymnast said there are reasons to believe these cases are just the “tip of the iceberg” and that abuse in Malaysian sports is worse than it seems, as the government is reluctant to release its findings.

Earlier, Hannah said the survey results are nothing new, being similar to the previous surveys on sexual harassment by the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry.

“The survey is insufficient as it is based on ‘sexual harassment’. Abuse in sports is not necessarily always sexual. The 2016 IOC Consensus Statement (International Olympic Committee) defines sports abuse as physical, psychological, and neglect, apart from sexual harassment and abuse.

“The survey mentioned by the minister is just on sexual harassment and does not include other victims,” Sarina said.

She said a distinction has to be made between general victims of sexual harassment and athletes who face similar abuse at sports training and competitions, adding that the survey’s scope is insufficient to tackle abuse in sports.

While the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill is a welcome step, Sarina said, it only provides limited remedies to athletes who face sexual harassment and is not adequate to address other forms of abuse faced by athletes.

“At the present date, the Penal Code provides general and limited remedies that are not sufficient to provide the necessary protection against all forms of abuse faced by athletes,” she said.

Promoting safe sport in Malaysia will continue to be a struggle, sometimes provoking controversies and bitter debates, but the fight is far from over and must continue to push for reforms.

The Safe Sport Act is legal oversight. The Safe Sport Code is administrative oversight. Finally, the Safe Sport Centre provides independent oversight. We must implement these three things to drive the required systemic change in sports that will help Malaysian sports progress.

Creating a safe environment within the sports fraternity should be the top priority for the Youth and Sports Ministry as many cases have become known in the last two years.

The perception of a safe environment should not only focus on sexual harassment, as bullying, discrimination, partiality, and abuse of power have also become a norm within Malaysian sports.

Recently, the volleyball coach’s slapping incident shocked many in the fraternity, but it was dealt with immediately when a video of the incident went viral and was reported.

However, there could be many isolated cases that need attention and immediate action. – The Vibes, February 9, 2023