KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia Paralympic Council (MPC) confirmed that its foreign swimming coach is indeed being investigated for sexually harassing an underage national para-athlete.
The 42-year-old national coach from China was alleged to have forced herself on a male athlete at the MPC premises in Kg Pandan.
Speaking to Scoop, MPC president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said that the governing body has lodged a report with Kuala Lumpur police headquarters after receiving an email regarding the matter from the Malaysia Para Swimming Association (MPSA) last week.
“I did receive an email from the deputy president of MPSA and MPC, Datuk Subramaniam Ramen, regarding the coach’s attempt to rape a male para-athlete, and he also sent an email to the Youth and Sports Ministry together with the National Sports Council (NSC) regarding this matter.
“Upon receiving the email, I immediately lodged the police report on the coach and her alleged behaviour.
“Just a couple of days ago, the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters sent MPC a formal letter requesting to record the suspect and the victim’s statements.
“We at MPC have been very cooperative, ensuring that the coach and a total of 10 athletes, including the one who has been alleged to be sexually harassed, are part of the police’s investigation.
“If the allegations are proven true after the investigation, both MPC and MPSA will send an official email to NSC to ensure that they will take stern action against the coach. I strongly believe that the coach’s contract should be terminated immediately if she is proven guilty,” said Megat.
The coach was hired by NSC in 2015 and has been coaching all the para-swimmers in MPC for competitions over the past nine years.
Megat also said that the coach has an existing bad track record and further stressed that NSC should employ better coaches by conducting proper background checks in the future.
“I have already informed the police that this is a serious case and the coach needs to face severe punishment if she is proven to be a sexual predator.
“It appears that NSC is not concerned about this matter, as the coach has had attitude issues (harassment cases, extorting from athletes, and even threatening her husband) over the past nine years, and they have taken no action despite several complaints from us.
“NSC should not attempt to cover up any complaints and must ensure they take action. If our association’s reputation is tarnished due to this matter, MPC will not hesitate to sue NSC for damaging our reputation because of their poor hiring decisions.
“We have the Paris Paralympics around the corner, and I do not want the athletes to be traumatised, nor do I want this to affect our preparations for the games,” Megat added.
This year’s Paralympics is scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8. – February 26, 2024