KUALA LUMPUR – The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) is challenging Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias over allegations of issuing threats to deregister the council.
In a statement, OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said that the council is taking the matter seriously and has instructed OCM secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib to initiate necessary steps to file a strong protest if the allegations are proven true.
“We believe it was conduct unbecoming of the Sports commissioner to make such remarks, as OCM’s status in the Sports Development Act 1997 as the umbrella body of national sports associations is guaranteed under Malaysian law.
“His remarks, if indeed made, clearly indicated malicious intent on the part of the Sports Commissioner,” said Norza.
Norza added that OCM was not a party to the discussion, and as such, the alleged threat was mentioned for no apparent reason.
“We do not wish to jump to conclusions, but we feel the need for the Sports Commissioner to clear the air as the alleged threat can be construed as overstepping his boundaries,” said Norza.
A circulated one-minute and 20-second audio clip via WhatsApp suggests that Suhardi made statements threatening to revoke OCM’s registration.
In the audio, Suhardi purportedly draws a parallel between OCM and the Israeli government in the context of the ongoing conflict in Palestine, thereby tarnishing the reputation of the umbrella body.
This conversation transpired during a discussion between the Sports Commissioner and two eSports groups on November 14.
The discussion focused on the registration and international affiliation of a recognised eSports governing body. – November 17,2023