Sports Commissioner orders KLFA to postpone congress

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) have postponed their 31st Congress this Sunday following protests by several affiliates.

Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman has written to KLFA secretary-general Nokman Mustaffa directing him to postpone the congress and give her office time to resolve the crisis.

“The public is aware of the woes, thanks to the mass media and social media, and that has caused anxiety among KL football fans.

“We have also received protest letters from KLFA affiliates, who are unhappy with the way the congress is being held and having their rights denied. My office has contacted the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to discuss the matter on Nov 14.

“We will call both the KLFA and the complainants to get a full explanation. As we need time to resolve this crisis, we find that it’s only right for the congress to be postponed until we have finished our investigations,” said the letter.

Nokman had earlier stated that incumbent Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikhsan should remain as the KLFA  president when his challenger, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon, received less than 40 per cent of the nomination to contest under the KLFA statute.

Adnan, who is the Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general, was appointed as the KLFA president four years ago and helped the team reach this year’s Super League, which is the highest in the Malaysia League.

Meanwhile, Nokman, when contacted by Bernama, said they would adhere to the decision of the Sports Commissioner so as to be fair to all parties, though he did voice his concern that the move could affect the preparations of ‘The City Boys’ for next season.

“God willing, we will meet the Sports Commissioner next week,” he said.

KL, who won the Malaysia Cup three consecutive times from 1987, finished 10th out of 12 teams in this year’s Super League after being promoted as the Premier League champions in 2017.

-- BERNAMA