KUALA LUMPUR – The Sports Commissioner’s Office has decided not to nullify the Paralympic Council of Malaysia’s (PCM) annual general meeting (AGM) for the 2025-2029 term until investigations by authorities are concluded.
This decision comes after it was reported that Datuk Michael Wong, the lawyer for former National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, who is also the former president of the Malaysian Canoe Association (Masca), said that PCM associations had mandated him to request the nullification of the PCM AGM held on December 15.
Michael did not specify which national sports associations had instructed him to file the request but revealed that there were allegations of irregularities in the nomination process for PCM’s election and claims that certain procedures during the AGM were not in compliance with PCM’s constitution.
In a brief statement to Scoop, Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias confirmed that his office can only begin investigating the case after the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have completed their investigations.
“We are aware of the ongoing situation, but we have decided to remain silent for now and will not react until the proper procedures are followed. We know that reports are currently being made to the police and MACC,” Suhardi said.
“Let the authorities conduct their investigations first, (and once completed), we will review the case and decide if any action is required.”
At the AGM, incumbent PCM president Megat was re-elected, defeating Shapawi by 14 votes to 10.
Shapawi later filed a report against Megat under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation.
In his report, Shapawi claimed the PCM president made false allegations about him leading up to the AGM.
Shapawi is also preparing to file a defamation suit against Megat in the High Court next week.
On December 14, the day before the AGM, Megat issued a press statement after lodging a report with the MACC.
He alleged that Shapawi and Mohd Sofian Hamzah, the NSC para division director, had bribed the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to secure nominations for the election.
BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh has denied the bribery allegations made by Megat, stating that the association did not accept bribes to nominate Shapawi for the PCM presidency. – January 4, 2025