Shahidan Isn T Going Away From Malaysia Athletics Yet

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Shahidan Kassim took office in 2022 for a three-year term. He previously served as president of the national body from 2006 to 2012.
PETALING JAYA: A controversial change in the constitution of Malaysia Athletics (MA) has seen an attempt to push its elections to next year.
The recent amendment extended the office-bearers’ terms from three to four years, with a limit of two terms.
That paved the way for the president, Shahidan Kassim, and his office-bearers to remain until June 30 next year.
It came with the change of name from Malaysia Athletics Federation to Malaysia Athletics on Jan 15 this year.
Some affiliates are furious that there might be no elections for office-bearers at MA’s annual general meeting on June 30, and will likely be held next year.
They wonder whether the leadership believed it is indispensable to the workings of MA or fear being challenged.
“Are we going to allow the president to leave at a date of his choosing?” asked a high-ranking state athletics official.
To Shahidan’s vehement critics a vote for him would not be “a path for change in a sport that badly needs a transformation of leadership.”
Another official said it would have been different if the amendments had been proposed before the last elections, and the affiliates and council members had agreed to the four-year term.
“As it stands, the elections must go on and Shahidan and the other office bearers can seek re-election if they are nominated,” said a senior official.
Shahidan took office in 2022 for a three-year term. He previously served as president of the national body from 2006 to 2012.
The plan, according to a source, is for the council members to adopt the changes immediately at the coming AGM so that elections could be postponed to next year.
But the Sports Commissioner’s Office (SCO) will have the final say on whether elections must be held this year.
Shahidan will meet with SCO officials today to discuss the matter.
The pressing issues
The issues include whether the SCO’s approval of the new constitution makes it automatic for the current office-bearers to continue until June 30, 2026.
Isn’t the SCO’s approval required for the office-bearers to remain in office for another year?
Should the four-year term only apply after the AGM next year?
What’s MA’s reason for postponing the polls in a mandatory election year?
Is the SCO aware that MA will not have elections this year?
When the amendments to the constitution were submitted to SCO, was MA informed when the changes would take effect?
The SCO and MA were not available for comment. - FMT

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