Former Malaysia Athletics president SM Muthu, five others handed life bans by Selangor AA

Selangor Athletics Association vice-president A. Varughese has confirmed the lifetime suspension of six officials, including former state and Malaysia Athletics president, Datuk SM Muthu (main image).

Varughese, who also heads Selangor AA’s disciplinary committee, said besides Muthu, K. Pregash, R. Murugan, G. Mohan, Mohd Fauzi Nanivanan Abdullah, and S. Gunaseelan will no longer be allowed to be part of athletics in the state.

“The disciplinary committee met on June 17 and found the six officials guilty of breaching several provisions of our constitution. They were punished in accordance with Articles 13.5, 13.6, and 13.7,,” said Varughese when contacted by Twentytwo13.

Article 13.5 states that the suspension or dismissal shall take effect on the date determined by the disciplinary committee.

Article 13.6 asserts any member or office bearer whose membership has been terminated or whose position has been suspended may submit an appeal to the main committee within 14 days from the date of the disciplinary committee’s decision.

While Article 13.7 says the main committee has the authority to accept, reject, or make any other decision regarding the decision made by the disciplinary committee, and the decision of the main committee shall be final.

“I then informed the council members of our decision, and they approved the bans. Before making the decision public, we gave the six officials 14 days to appeal, but they did not respond.”

Varughese added some of six individuals were also partly responsible for the association’s deregistration three years ago.

The association had been embroiled in an internal leadership crisis and was split into two factions, each claiming to be the rightful governing body.

On April 18, 2022, then Sports Commissioner Ibrahim Mohd Yusof said Selangor AA had been deregistered as it was no longer active and, under the Sports Development Act 1997, was not a legitimate entity to represent the sport at the state or national level.

There were also claims of financial irregularities. Muthu was the president of Selangor AA at that time.

Varughese said he was disappointed by the actions of the six who had contested the legality of Selangor AA’s annual general meeting (AGM) on April 26 this year.

They had alleged financial irregularities in the association’s accounts and claimed the AGM did not follow proper procedures.

On June 12, 2025, the six, representing Selangor AA affiliates – Petaling, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Sepang, Klang and Hulu Selangor – attempted to submit their list of candidates instead of the one the state body had nominated.

It was the final day to submit nominations for delegates to attend Malaysia Athletics’ AGM. However, they were denied the opportunity to do so as they were not recognised by Malaysia Athletics.

A commotion took place at Wisma OCM, and four of them had their statements recorded by the police.

The six individuals, representing the various state affiliates, claimed they were the rightful representatives of Selangor AA following an emergency general meeting (EGM) on June 9, which declared the April 26 AGM null and void.

Muthu, who chaired the EGM, then wrote to the Sports Commissioner’s Office. When he did not receive a reply, he wrote to the Sports Dispute Committee on July 14.

The Dispute Committee informed Muthu that it would respond to his complaint within 30 days

“Selangor AA sent me a letter stating that I have been given a lifetime ban, but I don’t recognise their authority. That is why I wrote to the Sports Dispute Committee,” said Muthu.

“We are proceeding with elections to appoint new office bearers, and we will forward the results to the Dispute Committee.”