Datuk Karim Ibrahim (main image, second from left) has returned as president of Malaysia's athletics body after garnering 25 votes to Datuk Wira Mark Ling's 14 at the Malaysia Athletics' annual general meeting at Wisma OCM this evening.
What started as a four-corner fight became a straight showdown between Ling and Karim after incumbent Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh withdrew from the race.
Karim returned as president six years after he was ousted by Datuk S.M. Muthu in a tightly contested race. Karim was president of the national body from 2015-2019.
"I'm grateful to Shahidan for making way for me today. I hope we can close ranks and work together," Karim said.
"Mark is a close friend, and I'm confident we can work together."
Shahidan, the Arau Member of Parliament, said he withdrew from contesting as he wanted to focus on his political career, and swimming as he is Malaysia Aquatics president.
The Selangor Athletics Association has also proposed that Shahidan be named Life President. A decision will be made later.
Wan Hisham, who opted to contest for the deputy's position, won after beating Mohamat Hasan (Sabah), and Sallehudin Satar (Johor). Wan Hisham received 22 votes, Mohamat nine and Sallehudin, five. There were three spoilt votes.
Meanwhile, Datuk R. Annamalai, Padmanathan Nagappan and Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rusli Abdullah are the new vice-presidents. Josephine Kang Teok Koon was elected unopposed as the sole female vice-president.
