MALAYSIA: 'We're the victims'

RIZAL HASHIM
May 11

THE de-registered Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) yesterday claimed they have become victims of selective persecution.

In a statement issued yesterday, MTA president Ho Kam Phaw said it was strange for the Sports Commissioner to single out the national body while two other bodies – the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and Malaysian Global Taekwondo Federation (MGTF) – escaped his scrutiny.

“It appears the powers-that-be are closing their eyes to the same constitutional structure that is being operated by the other two taekwondo organisations.

“Why is there no attention paid to the other two organisations so that their voting rights are restructured in line with the wishes of the Commissioner?

“The Commissioner’s public statement and his rationale for striking off MTA also applies to the other organisations but strangely, the big stick is only used against MTA,” said Kam Phaw.

Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar, however, said he was in the midst of cleaning up the mess in MGTF.

“I don’t wish to be dragged into an argument with MTA in the Press but for their information, I will have a meeting with MGTF officials soon to discuss certain issues.

“I have only a pair of eyes and I cannot be looking at every single body simultaneously. I have been investigating MGTF for the past two months and upon their request, I have not made any Press statements because they wish to settle their issues amicably and among themselves.

“Since I have made my decision, I will not in future respond to MTA’s remarks.”

Kam Phaw pointed out that MTA saga revolves around the voting rights of associate members .

“The constituency of the full members is represented by all the taekwondo organisations throughout the country including the Armed Forces and university students through the Malaysian Universities Sports Council (Masum). In term of the number of practicioners, these 17 organisations represent largely State interest.

“On the other hand, the associate members represent 49 individual interests who are practising taekwondo principally in the Klang Valley.

“If the 49 individual members are each given voting rights, it will give a weight disproportionate to the whole structure of the MTA membership and the States’ interest would be gravely prejudiced.”

Questioning the validity of the Commissioner’s power to suspend or de-register a body under the Sports Development Act, Kam Phaw said conditions can only be imposed by the Commissioner at the time of registration.

“If the sports body do not comply with the terms, the Commissioner can refuse registration. But once the registration is effected, the Commissioner’s role in the organisational structure of the sports body, by right, is virtually nil.”

In response to Elyas’ contention that the performance of Malaysian exponents had deteriorated over the years, Kam Phaw said the scenario in 1989 was different.

“In 1989, there was neither the Sports Development Act nor the Sports Commissioner breathing down your neck. Secondly, government interference was minimal. Voluntarism was the order of the day. Specifically to MTA, there were no associate members at all, so MTA were able to focus on achieving results.

“The scenario in 2003 had changed radically as voluntarism had taken a backseat, deeply affecting the moral and spirit of sportsmanship and the end result is a deterioration in standards, plus the forced marriage of politics and sports. The glorious days of sports excellence then became a historical fact.”

http://www.mmail.com.my