Cops called to Malaysia Athletics office

Several policemen made their presence felt at the Malaysia Athletics office at Wisma OCM in Kuala Lumpur this evening following a commotion involving affiliates who were barred from submitting the names of delegates for the national body’s upcoming annual general meeting.

The police were called after representatives from six affiliates of the Selangor Athletics Association were allegedly upset at being denied the opportunity to submit nominations for delegates to the AGM and election on June 15.  A commotion broke out at the office earlier today, prompting Malaysia Athletics officials to call police for assistance.

Today marked the final day for affiliates to submit the names of delegates eligible to attend and vote.

The six affiliates had earlier held an extraordinary general meeting on June 9, expressing dissatisfaction with Selangor Athletics Association president Nurhayati Karim and alleging “procedural deficiencies” during the association’s April 26 AGM.

Police later recorded statements from four representatives of the Selangor affiliates. It is understood that Malaysia Athletics will also request police presence at Sunday’s AGM.

Four candidates will contest the presidency – incumbent Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Perlis), Datuk Wira Mark Ling (Negeri Sembilan), Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh (Terengganu), and Datuk Karim Ibrahim (Perak).

Shahidan received four nominations, Ling two, while Karim and Wan Hisham received one nomination each. Both Karim and Wan Hisham have also been nominated for the deputy president’s post, alongside three others – Datuk R. Annamalai (Pahang), Mohamat Hasan (Sabah), and Sallehudin Safar (Johor).

Malaysia Athletics allows candidates to accept nominations for multiple positions but requires them to choose only one post on voting day.