KUALA LUMPUR: Safe Sport Malaysia (SSM) have urged the National Sports Council (NSC) to release the findings of their investigation into the case involving a para swimming coach who faced various allegations, including sexual misconduct against swimmers.
SSM president Sarina Sundara Rajah said this was an important step towards promoting accountability and transparency.
The coach, who is from China, was accused of sexual misconduct, verbal and physical abuse, as well as extortion of athletes.
"An investigation should have a clear conclusion, including a remediation plan with recommendations for a sports organisation to implement," said Sarina today.
"SSM firmly believes that releasing the report of the NSC committee's investigation into allegations of abusive behaviour and sexual misconduct in para swimming and disclosing the identities of the appointed members would be a highly constructive step towards promoting accountability and transparency.
"The investigative process following an allegation of abuse and misconduct is crucial in implementing and enforcing the Safe Sport Code.
"An investigator's role as a fact-finder is to gather relevant and admissible evidence to confirm or refute allegations.
"However, studies have shown that most abuse and misconduct cases in sports occur during training sessions and at inconspicuous locations.
"Therefore, it becomes more difficult for victims to substantiate and establish a criminal conduct threshold, which subsequently increases their fear of victim-shaming and could potentially jeopardise their athletic career."
The police investigation into the case had concluded with a "no further action" classification, as there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations made by the swimmers.
The NSC subsequently issued a statement on Monday stating that they have decided to reinstate the coach following a recommendation made by the NSC's Misconduct and Protection in Sports Committee, which had also conducted an investigation.
Sarina stressed that information gaps exist between sports bodies, which increases the risk of cases being missed or mishandled.
"As we have seen lately, investigations are often directed back to sports administrations to handle internally with maximum administrative action.
"Unfortunately, this has led to many individuals who are tied to abuse still being allowed to train or coach due to a lack of independent investigation mechanisms and inconsistent standards for sanctions across sports.
"Collaborative sharing of information and intelligence is integral to a fair investigation system as it facilitates informed decisions.
"We understand that, at present, the committee lacks the power to compel any national sport associations or clubs to participate in the investigation process.
"This includes the inability to subpoena documents or testimony, even from organisations that have signed onto the Safe Sport Code as a programme signatory.
"Good governance requires principles of transparency and independence whilst addressing conflicts of interest at all levels of sport.
"Accordingly, procedural protections must be incorporated into the investigation to ensure a fair and unbiased process.
"We all must get this right. Ultimately, what is at stake here are children."
Malaysia Paralympic Council president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin on Tuesday said he was against the NSC's decision to reinstate the coach, stressing that the move "does not solve the problem".