KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) saga is set to continue for at least another month or two.
After putting it off the first time early this year, the governing body for Malaysian para sports yesterday postponed their elections for a second time.
There was much controversy in the lead-up to the elections following the nomination of former Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin for the top post a day after nominations closed earlier this month.
MPC incumbent deputy president John Ng held a brief press conference after their annual general meeting (AGM) at the Paralympic Centre of Excellence in Kampung Pandan on Sunday but refused to take questions.
“We held our 22nd AGM today (yesterday) and our affiliates have agreed to postpone the (AGM) elections,” said John.
“The new date needs to be approved by the Sports Commissioner’s Office (SCO). We will write to them soon.
“We will convene a fresh AGM (elections) and a notice of 30 days will be given. All 24 affiliates were present today.”
John declined to comment on whether there will be new nominations.
for the new elections.
An official from SCO, however, said that that should be the case.
“If you call for fresh elections, then you should have new nominations. MPC should now call for an executive committee meeting to decide on the new date,” said the official, who did not want to be named.
Khairy also did not attend the AGM.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, who was the favourite to win the president’s post before Khairy entered the picture, could not hide his displeasure.
Shahriman was not present at MPC’s AGM as he was also contesting for the top post at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association (KLHA) AGM-cum-elections, which was held at the same time.
“I can’t really comment much because I was not there (MPC AGM) and I do not know what they did,” said Shahriman.
“They should be professional and follow the constitution.
“If they are still trying to defend what is wrong then I think the whole committee need to be barred, suspended or fired.
“This is not healthy, the victims are the athletes, the association and Paralympic sports.
“This also tarnishes the image of the National Sports Council (NSC) and the National Sports Institute (NSI).
“This is not going to benefit us... sponsors will run away.
“No sponsors will want to be involved with a crisis like this.
“From day one, I have said it is very important to work together with the corporate sector and practice good governance.”
The Malaysian Canoe Association (MASCA), which is led by Shahriman, had claimed that five nominations were sent in after the closing date of June 15 for the MPC elections.
SCO, in a statement on Friday, acknowledged that the five nominations were not done in accordance with the stipulated rules and regulations.