Olympic Council Denies Appointing Coo With Links To Jho Low

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The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has denied media reports claiming it had appointed one Ung Su Ling, who had ties to fugitive businessperson Jho Low, as its new chief operations officer (COO)
However, the council acknowledged that Ung, the former CEO of Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia, was a main candidate for the role, one of six shortlisted from 59 applications
According to OCM president Norza Zakaria, the appointment of its COO would be announced at the end of the month
“Once we have discussed the matter, I, first, wish to state that what was reported by the media before this was based on rumours and speculations
“This is as the OCM never made any announcements and statements on the appointment of its COO
“All we know is [...] the media has reported on the issue without basing (their reports) on any official decision by the OCM,” he said during a press conference at Wisma OCM in Kuala Lumpur, today
Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia has been described as 1MDB's charity arm
It was formerly known as Yayasan Gemilang 1Malaysia - a charity body which provided “assistance in the areas of education, sports, culture and others" set up a few months before the general election in 2013. Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak was among its directors
Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia is also the subject of scrutiny in Najib’s criminal trial involving former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International
The Jho Low linkUng reportedly also worked in an asset management company, where she handled investment for financier Low, or Low Taek Jho, who is currently wanted in Malaysia, the United States and other countries to answer charges and questions in relation to their respective 1MDB probes
Prior to her stint with Yayasan Rakyat, she worked reportedly in Low’s family businessWynton Group
Also speaking at the press conference today, OCM deputy president Abdul Azim Zabidi denied ever stating that Ung would be accorded the role of COO
“The top candidate was Ung Su Ling. Did I lie about that? No
“She was the first (of 59 candidates) but I never said she was the individual who would be holding the post (of COO)
“I confirmed she was the top (choice, from among the other candidates). I also explained the process by which she became the first (choice),” he said
According to a Free Malaysia Today (FMT) report yesterday, Ung was selected after obtaining the highest votes by an OCM panel following an interview of all the shortlisted candidates
“In the end, we tabulated the marks and she got the highest votes,” Abdul Azim was quoted saying by the FMT
Abdul Azim also reportedly dismissed concerns of her links to Low and Yayasan Rakyat, stating: “she was just an employee”
“In any foundation or NGO, when you get a donation, you just accept it. You don’t really go behind the people to ask where the money came from
“We look at her experience and what she brings to the table,” he reportedly said
He explained that any decision the selection panel made would have to first be discussed with the stakeholders and that the best choice may not necessarily be chosen
He added that the OCM needed to separate operations between policymakers and management, and that the latter should be helmed by a professional in order to fill the void in OCM. - Mkini

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