THE MALAYSIAN Cricket Association (MCA) has sent an urgent request to the Sports Commissioner to intervene following concerns over membership and governance within the association.
MCA president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali said the upcoming biennial general meeting on April 27, 2025, was facing a crisis of credibility and constitutional imbalance due to multiple unresolved grievances and questionable conduct by several affiliated members.
"As the custodian of integrity and lawful conduct in Malaysian sport, and pursuant to the regulatory powers vested in your esteemed office under the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576), I respectfully but firmly urge for immediate intervention in light of escalating concerns," he said in the letter sighted by The Vibes.
Iqbal detailed 10 concerns in the letter which include the denial of membership rights involving the Kelantan and Sabah CAs; the unlawful suppression of membership rights involving Putrajaya CA and allegations of non-performance by the Kedah and Perlis CAs.
Other concerns raised in his letter to the Sports Commissioner include:
- Strong claims of signatory forgery by the Perak CA
- Alarming claims from the vice-president of Kuala Lumpur CA
- Serious allegations of harassment and abuse of authority by the MCA Vice-president
- Misconduct by MCA employees and Breach of confidentiality
Iqbal also detailed a list of precedents of intervention in sports governance which include those in India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Malaysia.
According to Section 18 of the Sports Development Act 1997, Iqbal submitted the formal appeal for regulatory intervention and recommended several actions.
Among the actions include the reinstatement of full membership rights to Kelantan and Sabah CAs ahead of BGM 2025; Grant full membership to Putrajaya CA based on merit and contribution; and to postpone the BGM 2025, if necessary, to ensure all grievances are properly addressed.
He also called for an independent inquiry or audit into the affairs, compliance, and governance conduct of the Kedah and Perlis CAs for prolonged inactivity; Perak CA for alleged forgery and procedural abuse; Kuala Lumpur CA for failure of internal process and unauthorised EGM requisition; the aforementioned MCA vice-president for harassment and abuse of authority; and identified MCA employees for breach of confidentiality and contract violations.
"I submit this letter as a formal request for your decisive and lawful intervention and remain committed to cooperating fully to facilitate any inquiries, audits, or mediatory processes necessary to restore fairness, compliance, and trust within MCA’s structure and operations," he added.
The letter was also signed by MCA deputy president Dr Arun Kumar Beshamber Nath and its honorary treasurer Amarjeet Singh Wazir Singh.
Second letter sent to ICC
Meanwhile, Iqbal also sent a letter of urgent appeal for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to intervene and investigate governance abuse, constitutional violations and ethical misconduct within the MCA.
The strongly worded letter was addressed to the ICC chairman, Dispute Resolution Committee chairman and ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chairman.
The concerns raised for the ICC's immediate review and adjudication were similar to those forwarded to the Sports Commissioner.
Iqbal called on the ICC to immediately suspend the BGM 2025 and all associated proceedings, to commission an independent audit and investigation into the governance failures and to suspend any individual (official or employee) under investigation for abuse, forgery, or harassment pending inquiry.
"As custodians of cricket's global integrity, the ICC’s swift intervention is not just justified but imperative.
"The principles of fair representation, ethical leadership, and constitutional fidelity have been grossly undermined and without decisive action, the legitimacy of Malaysia’s cricket governance and international standing face irreversible harm," he added.
This letter was also co-signed by Arun Kumar and Amarjeet Singh. - April 23, 2025
