KUALA LUMPUR – Former national athletes say action must be taken over the eligibility of current Malaysian Athletics (MA) president, Datuk Karim Ibrahim.
Former national hurdler, Hamdi Jaffar, said the MA council must make a decision to save the federation and athletes.
“If he does not step down, the consequences are we will be suspended,” Hamdi said at the launch of the Reform in Sport & Excellence (RISE) movement in Bukit Kiara, here, today.
If the national team is suspended, the athletes will be the first to be affected by it, Hamdi added.
“So, the council has to make a decision,” he stressed, adding that a decision must not be made out of fear.
Karim was re-elected president in June last year, despite his suspension by governing body World Athletics (WA) in 2018 over doping scandals and misuse of athletes allowances. The ruling was also upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Despite his ineligibility, he was re-elected last year doe to an amendment to MA’s constitution that provided him a loophole. He has told the media his ban by WA was not a “lifetime” one.
WA, however, has not dropped the matter and has sent Karim a letter, former Sports Commissioner and retired heptathlete star, Datuk Zaiton Othman, said today.
“He won’t be left alone. They will sanction you,” she said at the launch of RISE. The movement was established to push for greater accountability and reforms in Malaysia’s sports federation.
Zaiton also asked if Karim had ever appealed the ban and why he would risk WA’s sanctions on MA.
She said the issue with Karim and MA is currently one of the clearest examples of governance concerns, particularly when national decisions appear to conflict with rulings by international federations.
“Are governance principles being upheld or bypassed? Are decisions being made in the best interest of athletes or individuals?” she asked.
“Most importantly, are we risking non-compliance with World Athletics? Of course we are.”
She warned that sanctions from international bodies could have severe repercussions, especially with Malaysia set to host the 2027 SEA Games.
“If governance fails, athletes pay the price,” she said.
Karim has consistently dismissed accusations that his leadership weakened institutional checks and balances in MA, and maintained that the well-being of athletes and coaches has been a top priority since he assumed office last year.
Addressing concerns about his eligibility, Karim pointed to a range of governance reforms implemented following his re-election in June. He said these measures were designed to enhance transparency, reinforce accountability, and elevate the association’s overall operational standards. – April 25, 2026