KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has taken the Sports Commissioner, Suhardi Alias, to task for having purportedly threatened to deregister the umbrella body.
A one minute 20-second audio clip had made its round through WhatsApp, with Suhardi allegedly threatening to deregister OCM while drawing parallel between OCM and the Israeli government in the ongoing conflict in Palestine, thus bringing the umbrella body into disrepute.
The conversation took place in a discussion between the Sports Commissioner and two groups representing eSports relating to the registration and international affiliation of a recognised eSports governing body on Nov 14, 2023.
OCM President, Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, said: "I have instructed OCM Secretary General Datuk Nazifuddin Mohd Najib to make the necessary steps in lodging a strong protest over this kind of behaviour, if indeed it is true.
"We believe it was a conduct unbecoming of the Sports Commissioner to be making such remarks as OCM's status in the Sports Development Act 1997 as the umbrella body of national sports association is guaranteed under the Malaysian law.
"His remarks, if he indeed makes it, clearly indicated malicious intent on the part of the Sports Commissioner.
"Although OCM was not a party to the discussion, the 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.
"OCM will not hesitate to take necessary action, including lodging a protest to the Minister
of Youth and Sports," said Norza.
