KUALA LUMPUR – Sports commissioner Suhardi Alias will meet the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to calm the situation after a leaked audio clip went viral last week.
In the audio clip, Shuhardi can be heard threatening to deregister OCM, citing that he has the power to do it.
This has angered not only the OCM but also national sports associations.
It was also understood that Suhardi was commenting on athletes’ performance, which is not under the sports commissioner’s jurisdiction.
However, Suhardi lodged a police report on Friday over the leaked audio.
“I cannot comment on the leaked audio clip because the matter is now under investigation by police,” said Suhardi
"However, I will try to calm the waters with OCM by convening a meeting to discuss the issue and relieve the tension caused by the viral audio clip."
"OCM, as a national governing body, should calm down and not lash out unnecessarily.
“They should have met and discussed the issue with all parties, especially the government,” Suhardi told reporters at the opening ceremony of the Symposium for National Sports Social Enterprise Awareness at the National Sports Council.
He continued by noting that the Olympic Charter states that the National Olympic Council (NOC) must have a good relationship with its government and must adhere to the country’s laws, including the Sports Development Act (Act 576).
Earlier today, the OCM issued a statement calling on Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to intervene in Suhardi's "extreme belligerence" towards the NOC.
Its secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib, said Suhardi’s comments on the achievements and performances of national athletes fell outside his job scope.
“Suhardi’s boldness can be seen as having declared war against OCM and our affiliates,” said Nazifuddin in a statement. – November 20, 2023
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