COMMENT | From 2002, I penned more than a dozen commentaries requesting for the accounts of the 1998 Commonwealth Games to be made public.

But those responsible, including the bigwigs at Sukom Ninety Eight Berhad (Sukom 98 Bhd) ignored the calls, pretended not to have read them, or felt it was too much “trouble” to engage with me.

But credit must go to Azalina Othman Said, who upon becoming the sports minister, spoke to me and instructed her officers to produce the documents.

But they could only show me the annual filings to the then Registrar of Companies (now Companies Commission of Malaysia) because the organisers were Sukom 98 Bhd, incorporated under the Companies Act.

The gullible media reported that “the accounts have been closed” and a letter to Malaysiakini even praised Azalina for her efforts.

The audited statement of accounts...