KUALA LUMPUR: Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria has urged Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias to be a vigilant watchdog rather than a bloodhound.
This comes in response to the Sports Commissioner Office's (SCO) statement issued on Tuesday regarding the ongoing dispute between Suhardi and OCM.
Speaking at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara, Norza, who is also the BA of Malaysia (BAM) president, said: "If what was said is true, then he (Suhardi) needs to explain himself.
"As a commissioner, you cannot say something that will trigger controversy. A commissioner needs to be neutral and good-natured, ensuring NSAs' governance, annual reports, and documents are in order.
"Instead of explaining whether what was said was true or not, he has responded by asking NSAs to assess their performance.
"The NSAs he mentioned were awarded five stars by the SCO not long ago, indicating effective management.
"Talking about performance is not his job, it's the National Sports Council's," said Norza.
On Monday, Suhardi, allegedly heard threatening to de-register OCM in a viral audio clip, hit back at OCM deputy president Datuk Hamidin Amin after being asked to apologise.
In a statement released by Suhardi, he said many within the sporting community believed that Hamidin should apologise for not achieving the gold medal target at the Phnom Sea Games in May.
"Ironically, both associations (BAM and FAM), headed by the OCM president and deputy president, failed to meet their medal targets at the last Sea Games," read Suhardi's statement.
Norza, smashed back, and urged Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to intervene and restore the NSAs confidence in Suhardi.
"The Malaysian sports fraternity need to have confidence in him.
"In English, there is a saying 'Be a watchdog, not a bloodhound.' He has only been there for a month and has already started jumping to conclusions, discussing matters outside his jurisdiction.
"This comes at a time when the minister has introduced a harmonious ecosystem.
"There is a clear flaw, and that is why the minister needs to intervene. It is crucial for action to be taken to restore confidence in the system.
"I read Suhardi's response today, it only talks about the statements and not about him or why he made those remarks.
"I still stick to the fact that the minister needs to look into this. It's not a light issue but a serious one.
"OCM is an international body under the International Olympic Committee, how can you say that?
"If left to the SCO, I don't think this matter will be resolved," added Norza.
Earlier, on behalf of BAM, Norza signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Astro Kasih to enhance the working relationship and grassroots development for badminton in the country. Also present was Yayasan Astro Kasih chairman, Tun Zaki Tun Azmi.
