KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Rugby (MR) have today brushed-off criticism made by the Sabah Rugby Union (SRU) regarding their governance of the national body.
MR honorary secretary Fahmy Jalil said they obtained the required approvals from all necessary parties before holding their annual general meeting-cum-elections on Dec 2 last year, adding that the process was made more complicated due to the embezzlement case MR had suffered in 2022.
In December 2022, MR discovered that an administration staff had embezzled a large sum of money, believed to exceed RM1 million, from the national body's accounts with withdrawals stretching back to 2019. The matter is still being investigated by the police.
SRU held a press conference on Friday questioning why MR had not presented audited accounts during the Dec 2 AGM and subsequently questioned the AGM's legitimacy.
SRU said they have decided not to compete in any MR-organised tournament, including the Agong's Cup and National Sevens, until MR has their house in order.
They also stated that they want Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to look into the matter.
Fahmy said audited accounts for 2022 (financial year) were not presented during the AGM as the accounts were still being investigated by the police.
"We had already informed the Sports Commissioner (Suhardi Alias) regarding the situation and asked him if we could still proceed with the AGM," said Fahmy when contacted today.
"He gave us approval to go ahead, however, he said that we must present the audited accounts in an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) as soon as the police have concluded their investigation.
"The embezzlement case is still being investigated by the police to this day, I just spoke to the investigating officer yesterday.
"A lot of people don't understand that criminal breach of trust (CBT) cases are complicated, especially as this case stretches back a few years. It is not the same as investigating someone who stole a banana from a mini-mart.
"It is true that the accounts for 2021 were falsified by the former employee but as soon as we found out we made a police report and informed all necessary parties, including the Sports Commissioner.
"We have taken all the necessary steps correct the situation. Let the police do their job."
MR president Amir Amri Mohamad, who took over the reins from Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya last month, said he was perplexed by the criticism brought up by SRU.
"The situation was explained to all our affiliates before the AGM and we took a vote whether or not to hold the AGM. They majority voted yes," said Amir.
"Sabah have a right to express their opinions, however, I hope they will follow the proper channels in the future.
"So far, we have not received anything in black and white from them since I became president. All we know is what we read in the media.
"I am hoping they can sit down with us to discuss any issues. I am always open to suggestions from our affiliates, because they were the ones who elected me.
"When I became president, I made it clear to everyone that I wanted to get this (embezzlement case) issue sorted out so we can all move forward.
"As president, I also have my own plans and vision for MR but it will not be easy to accomplish them if we continue to be haunted by this case."
Amir added that he hopes SRU will continue to work together with MR in the future.