KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Paralympic Council (MPC) president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin has made it clear that he is against the National Sports Council's (NSC) decision to reinstate a para swimming coach who is facing various allegations, including sexual misconduct against swimmers.
He said reinstating the coach would not solve the problems the national team was facing.
He believed the coach should be paid the remainder of her contract, which ends in July, and be asked to leave.
The coach, who is from China, was accused of sexual misconduct, verbal and physical abuse, as well as extortion of athletes.
"We respect the result of the police investigation, but we feel that NSC's decision to reinstate the coach is the wrong move," said Shahriman when contacted today.
"We have heard grievances from athletes about her. There are a lot of elements involved.
"It also involves her behaviour towards other coaches as well as the whole ecosystem there.
"The athletes were happy when she was placed on leave. If you put the coach back, the athletes will think that there is no point in them complaining and they won't bother in the future.
"They will think that there is no point in having the Safe Sport Code because it achieves nothing.
"Coaches will now think they can do as they please because no action will be taken against them.
"NSC keep saying that para athletes are sensitive and must be guarded. If that is what they are saying, we have to find a clear way to ensure these athletes are protected.
"I think NSC have to think about this carefully. They could tell the coach to stay off the team until her contract ends.
"Or they could also pay her the remainder of her contract, which has four months left, and tell her to go home.
"We have three other coaches in the team currently, so it should not be an issue."
The police investigation into the case had concluded with a "no further action" classification, as there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations made by the swimmers.
NSC subsequently issued a statement yesterday stating that they have decided to reinstate the coach following a recommendation made by NSC's Misconduct and Protection in Sports Committee (MPSC).
MPSC had also conducted an investigation.
Shahriman, who is also president of the Malaysian Para Swimming Association (MPSA), was not informed about the scope of MPSC's investigation.
"I do not know which individuals make up the committee and I do not know what elements they investigated," said Shahriman.
"They must, however, remember that under the Safe Sport Code, anything that causes trauma to the athletes should also be investigated.
"It should also be made clear what kind of evidence is needed when making a complaint. Do they need to provide videos and four witnesses to prove that wrongdoings occurred?
"Now that the coach has been reinstated, what are they going to do if there are more complaints? Place her on leave again?
"I am going to write a letter to NSC to request further discussion because there are problems that have not been solved."
MPSA was only formed in June last year. The para swimming programme was previously parked under the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia, but managed by NSC.
