KUALA LUMPUR – What is the Sports Commissioner’s agenda?
Has the Sports Commissioner’s Office overstepped their responsibilities and begun nudging their noses in state athletics associations’ internal matters?
According to Selangor Athletics Association (SAA) president Nurhayati Karim, the association had received letters from the Sports Commissioner’s Office stating that their annual general meeting (AGM) held on December 12, 2021, was not in accordance with SAA’s constitution.
Speaking at a press conference today at Wisma OCM, Nurhayati says the AGM, in fact, complied with their constitution.
“Notice for the AGM followed the constitution − all SAA members were given the notice.
“A second notice was also given to all members and an invitation letter to attend the AGM was also sent to the Sports Commissioner’s Office on November 26, 2021.
“The AGM was chaired by SAA deputy president Datuk Harjeet Singh, who ensured that the quorum for the meeting was adhered to as per the SAA constitution.
“A fair election was carried out and the results were reached unanimously during the AGM, and a press conference was held afterwards for public knowledge,” she said.
She added that the SAA had submitted the AGM report − within the timeframe stipulated in the Sports Development Act of 1997 − to the Sports Commissioner’s Office on January 5, 2022.
Following that, SAA secretary Narayanasamy − who was appointed during the AGM − had been present at the Sports Commissioner’s Office at least twice a week to obtain feedback on the AGM report.
On February 8, Narayanasamy received two letters from the Sports Commissioner’s Office.
One letter dated January 19, 2022, asked for three common pieces of information from the AGM report to be submitted to the Sports Commissioner’s Office.
The second letter dated January 21, 2022, stated that the AGM was not held in accordance with the constitution but did not specifically explain the irregularities.
Nurhayati says it is “weird” that despite both letters being dated in January and with the SAA secretary being present in the Sports Commissioner’s Office on a regular basis during that time, the SAA only received the letters on February 8.
“What makes it even weirder is that both letters carry different meanings − what is the real meaning behind the letters?
“All this while, given that the Sports Commissioner’s Office only provided opinions and views, SAA required the decision of the AGM to continue its activities in Selangor’s sports development.
“Usually, it is a dispute between the members of the association on the validity of an AGM that would leave SAA with no other option but to take the matter to court.
“It seems as if the Sports Commissioner’s Office wants the AGM to be held again,” added Nurhayati.
Due to the ongoing conundrum, the SAA is unable to utilise funds in their bank account.
Previously, former SAA president Datuk S.M. Muthu was sacked due to allegations of mismanagement of funds of RM110,000 that was in the association’s fixed deposit account.
SAA is also unable to pay incentives to 2018 Sukma medallists due to the misappropriation of funds.
“We can’t provide assistance to our athletes and coaches who were victims of the recent flooding in Selangor.
“We also can’t go forward with a ‘kids athletic’ programme, which was agreed upon between the SAA and a private company, to unearth talents among children under the ages of 13,” said Nurhayati.
She says the SAA has repeatedly tried to reach out to the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Sports Commissioner’s Office for clarification but has not heard back from either.
Lawyer Bernard Francis says the court hearing has been set for March 7, 2022. – The Vibes, February 24, 2022
