FACING suspension under the Sports Development Act 1997, the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) council meets today to formulate a response, which is due in four days, and is its last remaining defence.
Today, MNCF deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamad hinted, could also see the federation’s executive committee take responsibility for the predicament and resign en bloc.
Damaging to the federation is that a detailed sports ministry audit report, investigations and a Sports Advisory Panel inquest have all turned up evidence that gave the sports minister little option but to order the MNCF to be suspended.
The process, which began with Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s announcement on Aug 21, gave the MNCF 14 days to respond to a showcause letter from the Sports Commissioner as to why it shouldn’t be suspended.
While MNCF president Datuk Abu Samah Wahab had paid Sports Commissioner Ahmad Shapawi Ismail a visit on Thursday for further clarification of their situation, what the MNCF is faced with, is clear-cut as announced by Khairy.
Among the allegations were MNCF making unconstitutional decisions which led to financial mismanagement, conflicts of interest and various breaches of fiduciary duties and responsibilities, Khairy announced on Aug 21.
Should a suspension be enforced, an ad hoc committee will be appointed by Khairy to administrate the MNCF during the suspension period.
Though the full council will deliberate on the matter, Naim has not discounted the need for the executive committee to bear responsibility.
“If it is quite clear what the wrong doings are, then we can’t say that we do not know what happened. Whether we knew or not, this happened while the federation was under our administration,” said Naim.
“Whether I was directly involved in these issues or not, as the deputy president I certainly can’t say that I do not know what was going on in our federation. I have to be accountable myself.
“We can deliberate on it with the council, but the executive committee has to be responsible and if it is so, we may all have to step down and be accountable.
“Then steps to remedy the situation should begin. This is the only dignified response I can think of personally.”