LETTER | Is the sports minister acting hastily?

LETTER | I was shocked to read the news of the proposed amendments to the Sports Development Act giving drastic powers to the sports minister to take action against national sports associations and bodies on serious offences affecting “national security, public order, and morality”.

I am uncertain to what extent this proposal was discussed with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the various sports associations or even in the cabinet. I also cannot remember such proposals being discussed elsewhere among the sports fraternity.

To my recollection, there was only an announcement by former youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh stating the ministry’s intention to amend the Act to address match-fixing and corruption.

The proposed rules now tabled are in fact already provided for within the sports commissioner’s powers. There is also already a plethora of laws to regulate issues affecting “national security, public order and morality”.

While I understand the nation was shocked that two prominent sports associations recently had their respective international regulatory bodies declare them guilty of serious offences, the decision to introduce these new laws seems to be a “knee-jerk” reaction by the minister.

The minister could have required the sports commissioner to take the necessary action within the existing laws. The commissioner already has the power to hold an inquiry and take the necessary action, including deregistering or suspending any infringing association.

I wish to appeal to the minister to use the existing laws to take the necessary disciplinary action.

In the meantime, he should have discussions with OCM, the National Sports Council, sports associations, and relevant authorities before introducing such drastic changes to the law.

Furthermore, I believe that there is a risk that granting such powers to a minister of the government may infringe existing laws imposed by relevant international sports councils and governing bodies.

We should guard against depriving our athletes of opportunities to pursue their ambitions to represent the country in their respective events around the world.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.