What is Suhardi Alias' role in NSC? Has MACC sent 'governance issue' report to BAM?

Questions continue to dominate the Malaysian sports scene – this time involving a National Sports Council (NSC) officer and the status of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) report to the BA of Malaysia (BAM) over the latter’s “governance issue”.

This comes as the FA of Malaysia is embroiled in the doctored documentation fiasco involving seven ‘heritage’ players, while the Sports Commissioner’s Office has given the Malaysian Pickleball Association until Jan 14, 2026, to address its governance issues or face deregistration.

Datuk Suhardi Alias, a long-time NSC officer who eventually became the Council’s deputy director-general, was appointed Sports Commissioner in 2023. However, in August, his former NSC colleague Arrifin Mohd Ghani was made Sports Commissioner, while Suhardi was tipped to head the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES).

Instead, Suhardi has returned to NSC but his role remains unclear. It is understood that he has not been actively involved in meetings or projects, and there are those within NSC who remain unsure of his position in the agency.

Suhardi was embroiled in a feud with the Olympic Council of Malaysia in 2023 following a leaked audio clip that dragged Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh into the fray. Suhardi had allegedly claimed he had the power to deregister OCM, compared the Council to what was happening in Gaza, and allegedly called one of his predecessors an “idiot” for approving so many sports associations.

Last year, he was hauled up by the ministry for his views against the Southeast Asian nation hosting the multisport event.

Some believe the episode is far from over, which may explain his non-active role within NSC.

IYRES has been without a chief executive officer sinceDr P. Vellapandian was appointed National Sports Institute chief executive officer in February.

Meanwhile, Twentytwo13 learnt that MACC has yet to submit its report to BAM regarding “some issues related to governance”.

This followed MACC clearing BAM of wrongdoing over allegations that a high-ranking officer received an unauthorised allowance. But its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told reporters in January that he would send a report to BAM and the Youth and Sports Ministry citing “some issues related to governance”, and that it would be “detailed in the report”.

It remains unclear whether the officer is still receiving the allowance, the justification for it, and its relation to any “special projects”.

All eyes are also on Yayasan BAM as its activities and bank accounts, if any, have not been made public.