THE sports ministry will propose to the Sports Commissioner’s Office to amend the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (STAM)’s constitution on its voting system.
Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said there should be an amendment to the STAM’s voting of a show of hands to secret balloting to eliminate possible “favouring” towards the incumbent president.
“When voting powers are given to council members who were appointed by the president, there would be favouring towards the incumbent president.
“The voting power given to the association members should be stronger than the voting power given to elected council members,” he said during the “Fit Malaysia” programme in Malacca yesterday.
Khairy was commenting on the reelection of Datuk Ahmad Ismail, who has been STAM president since 2002.
Ahmad retained his post for the fourth term after defeating his deputy, Mohd Shapian Ali, in a straight fight, winning 50 of the 72 association members’ votes.
Khairy said the amendment was to keep up with the other national sports associations which have been practising secret balloting.
Khairy urged all the association members and players to respect the reelection of Ahmad, as the voting was done in accordance to the STAM’s constitution.
On the sports ministry’s proposal to amend the voting system, Ahmad said yesterday he wants to get the feedback from STAM’s affiliates.
“As an individual, I have no right to decide. I will leave this matter to the delegates to make a collective decision,” he said.