Malaysia risks losing world, regional sports bodies over diplomatic rows

Malaysia hosts several international sports bodies, including the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Badminton World Federation, and Badminton Asia.

However, diplomatic tensions may soon cost the country its status as a sporting hub. There are murmurs that at least one international body is considering relocating due to Malaysia’s refusal to admit officials from certain nations, such as North Korea and Israel.

The latest episode came during the 35th AFC Congress on April 12, when North Korean football officials were denied entry into Kuala Lumpur.

Over the years, several countries have expressed interest in hosting AFC. Those talks gained traction once again following the North Korean incident.

Malaysia had previously maintained diplomatic ties with North Korea, but relations deteriorated after the 2017 assassination of Kim Jong-nam — half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un — at klia2. Ties were officially severed on March 19, 2021, after Malaysia extradited North Korean businessman Mun Chol Myong to the United States to face money laundering charges. He was sentenced to 45 months in prison on Jan 20, 2023.

Malaysia also has no diplomatic ties with Israel. In 2019, it barred Israeli para athletes from taking part in the 9th World Para Swimming Championships in Kuching — a qualifier for the 2020 Paralympics.

Then foreign minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah told Twentytwo13 on Jan 14, 2019: “The current status is straightforward; we will not host (events) if we know there is an Israeli team or organisation involved.”

The Cabinet’s decision not to issue visas to the Israeli para swimmers drew criticism from the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee.

The Men’s World Team Squash Championship, which was supposed to be held in Kuala Lumpur in 2021, was cancelled after Malaysia refused to grant Israeli athletes visas. Olympic Council of Malaysia president, Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, had then told Twentytwo13: “We should take a non-political decision. If we don’t deliberate on this properly, Malaysia will lose out.”

It is understood last month’s episode involving the North Koreans has been brought to the attention of the country’s leadership and could be discussed at a Cabinet meeting.

One suggestion includes setting up a “neutral zone” near Kuala Lumpur International Airport, allowing officials from countries without diplomatic ties to attend meetings and leave immediately.