Ministry, SC interference needed if MPC fails to resolve election issues - Megat Shariman

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 (Bernama) -- The Youth and Sports Ministry or the Sports Commissioner's involvement would be deemed necessary if the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) fails to resolve the issue of ‘interfering hands’ in the run-up to it's elections in the upcoming annual general meeting on June 29.

Malaysian Canoe Association (MASCA) president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin, who is vying for the president's post, said the ministry and the Sports Commissioner's office have the right to get involved if the MPM failed to resolve ongoing issues in a professional manner.

"This is because the ministry and the Sports Commissioner established the laws and regulations and are neutral bodies, and so, they have the right (to get involved).

“Otherwise, this would be seen as a failure on the part of the MPC leadership as prior to this, they managed to clear their name from previous issues, but now seem to be facing the same issues again. They vowed not to go back the same path, but there seems to be no change in the way they do things,” he told reporters when met at the MASCA Aidilfitri Open House here, today. 

Megat D. Shahriman has thrown his hat in the ring for the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) president's post after incumbent SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin announced he won't be seeking re-election after helming the post for the last four years. 

Former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has also offered to contest, but there is an ongoing issue on Khairy filing his nomination form at 11.30pm on June 15, when the deadline for nominations was clearly stated as 11.59pm on June 14. 

On this (deadline issue), Megat D Shahriman said there was nothing wrong in contesting, but aspirants need to use proper channels when doing so. 

He said, in all honesty, he viewed his contest against the Rembau member of parliament as an interesting development. 

“I feel it’s interesting as in a contest, winning and losing is the norm, but let it be that it was contested in the right manner. If it is going to be contested this way, then it is up to the person.

“If I am going to say I am man enough, then I will prove it too, but I am not going to resort to that as it might come back to haunt. What I can say is, be a gentleman. I am not afraid. This is a healthy competition,” he said. 

Megat D Shahriman was comfortable with being the underdog for the contest, but acknowledged that Khairy had the advantage of being familiar with the MPM circle. 

"It's alright that he is considered the favourite (nominee) and that I am the underdog. What is important is that things are done the right way, where rules are followed and according to the constitution, but if this (ongoing deadline issue) is how it is going to be, then it is no more healthy,” he said. 

MPC in a media statement on June 18 confirmed that Khairy will contesting the post on a Malaysian Wheelchair Rugby Federation ticket.

The MPC also said the Executive Board had unanimously decided that Siti Zaharah Abdul Khalid, Dr Naharuddin Hashim, Dr S Radha Krishnan and John Ng Keng Chuan are eligible to contest in the elections after filing in their nomination papers on time.  

Prior to this, Khairy's status was questioned after he is said to have submitted his nomination form, together with John Ng, on June 15 at 11.30pm, despite nominations closing at 11.59pm on June 14. 

Ng, representing the National Table Tennis Association will be vying for the deputy president's post against Malaysian Blind Sports Association president Dr S Radha Krishnan. 

The eight nominations for the vice-president's post, meanwhile, are Hadfizah Abd Khafidz (Para Tenpin Bowling Association), K M Rajendran (Taekwando Malaysia), Muhd Iqbal Sulaiman (Wheelchair Tennis Malaysia), Dr Ang Kean Koo (Malaysian Wheelchair Basketball Federation) Dr Naharuddin Hashim (Badminton Association of Malaysia) and Major Azhari Abdullah (Malaysia Blind Football Association).

Two more nominations to fill up the single spot women's quota are Siti Zaharah Abdul Khalid (Malaysia Bowls for the Disabled) and Noor Syahieda Mat Shah (Malaysian Para Powerlifting).

The two nominations for the Secretary-General posts are Datuk R. Subramaniam (Malaysian Para Athletics Association) and Irena Chang (Malaysian Disabled Volleyball Association) while S Kumarusamy (Malaysian Para Carrom Association) was the sole nominee for the Treasurer's post.

-- BERNAMA