May 21
WE refer to the Press report "Elyas warns MTA of further action" dated May 20th, 2005 by reporter K.M. Boopathy.
The report by Tan Sri Elyas Omar if true, is grossly misleading on point of law. After having been advised by our lawyer Dato’ M.S. Murthi, we find Elyas’ argument on the operations of the provisions of the Sports Development Act 1997 ("SDA 1997") is rather unfounded.
The Sports Commissioner is quoted as saying "What MTA? The MTA were de-registered on May 6, and as such, according to the Sports Act, which is an Act of Parliament, don’t exist anymore."
He was also quoted as saying "But even then, for the Minister to do that, the de-registered body must appeal first."
It appears from the reporting that, on one hand the Sports Commissioner states that the MTA no longer exist BUT on the other hand, he states that MTA is given 30 days to appeal. Following this obvious questions one would ask is:
1. How can MTA appeal if it doesn’t exist?
2. Who else could lodge an appeal to the Minister in accordance with Section 22 of SDA 1997 other than the MTA office bearers?
Further, if one were to follow the Sports Commissioner’s statements as reported, if the MTA office bearers do appeal to the Minister, then the office bearers would be seriously violating the SDA 1997 and be punishable under section 25 (2) of SDA 1997.
One would be placed in a dilemma if one goes by the above statements and interpretation of the SDA 1997 by the Sports Commissioner as reported.
We have sought legal advice and our actions are only in accordance with the law. Further MTA would only take all necessary actions that its members deem fit in defending MTA.
Thank you.
Chin Mee Keong
Chairman
Malaysian Taekwondo Association
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
Saturday, May 21, 2005
MALAYSIA; Clubs refute Ho’s claims
May 20
THE six executive council members in the de-registered Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) cannot claim to be representatives of the clubs or associate members.
The six, said one associate member, were elected by the States. In fact, four of the six are from the same club.
As such, said the member, the claim by MTA president Ho Kam Phaw in a Press conference on Wednesday that clubs run MTA, is inaccurate.
"Four out of the nine exco members are from KCTA (Klang Coast Taekwondo Academy) which is registered under (MTA chairman) Chin (Mee Keong)," said the club representative who did not want to be identified.
Besides Mee Keong, vice-chairman Lim Chong Tiam, assistant secretary general Chun Chong Lee and treasurer Lim Chui Ann are from the Klang-based KCTA.
Secretary-general Yeap Swee Bee, who is also Klang-based, is from Power Sports while R.Dhanaraj, the national chief coach, is from Koryo Taekwondo Academy.
As of April 30, KCTA, Power Sports and Koryo had yet to register with the Sports Commissioner’s Office. Claims that the clubs are power crazy, hence the bid for votes, were also refuted.
"A large number of students come from the clubs and they contribute money to MTA. We want voting rights so that we can look after the welfare of the students and give constructive suggestions to the national association. At the moment, this is not case.
"The few members who belong to KCTA never meet up with the other associate members. They never consult us," said the source.
"All the problems started when one head instructor called for a discussion with a few other clubs to form a clubs association but MTA issued show cause letters to them.
"They (MTA) are very suspicious of the clubs. They are scared that the clubs will take over.
"We don’t want to take over but we want to contribute our ideas for the betterment of the sport. We just want to have a say.
"We have contributed financially, we have contributed by producing players for the national team and yet we are not allowed in the council."
Another head instructor concurred.
"These representatives were elected by the States and we did (clubs) not have a say. We are not affiliated to the States," said the instructor.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
THE six executive council members in the de-registered Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) cannot claim to be representatives of the clubs or associate members.
The six, said one associate member, were elected by the States. In fact, four of the six are from the same club.
As such, said the member, the claim by MTA president Ho Kam Phaw in a Press conference on Wednesday that clubs run MTA, is inaccurate.
"Four out of the nine exco members are from KCTA (Klang Coast Taekwondo Academy) which is registered under (MTA chairman) Chin (Mee Keong)," said the club representative who did not want to be identified.
Besides Mee Keong, vice-chairman Lim Chong Tiam, assistant secretary general Chun Chong Lee and treasurer Lim Chui Ann are from the Klang-based KCTA.
Secretary-general Yeap Swee Bee, who is also Klang-based, is from Power Sports while R.Dhanaraj, the national chief coach, is from Koryo Taekwondo Academy.
As of April 30, KCTA, Power Sports and Koryo had yet to register with the Sports Commissioner’s Office. Claims that the clubs are power crazy, hence the bid for votes, were also refuted.
"A large number of students come from the clubs and they contribute money to MTA. We want voting rights so that we can look after the welfare of the students and give constructive suggestions to the national association. At the moment, this is not case.
"The few members who belong to KCTA never meet up with the other associate members. They never consult us," said the source.
"All the problems started when one head instructor called for a discussion with a few other clubs to form a clubs association but MTA issued show cause letters to them.
"They (MTA) are very suspicious of the clubs. They are scared that the clubs will take over.
"We don’t want to take over but we want to contribute our ideas for the betterment of the sport. We just want to have a say.
"We have contributed financially, we have contributed by producing players for the national team and yet we are not allowed in the council."
Another head instructor concurred.
"These representatives were elected by the States and we did (clubs) not have a say. We are not affiliated to the States," said the instructor.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
MALAYSIA: Penang TA stand by deregistered national body
K. KANDIAH
May 20
THE Penang Taekwondo Association (PTA) are firmly behind the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) and their office- bearers.
PTA secretary Dr Pok Sen Wei said this is in no way showing disrespect to Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said or Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar and his office.
"It was the committee’s decision to support the national body and we stand by it till the end," Sen Wei told Timesport yesterday.
"Our decision is in no way showing disrespect to the Sports Minister or the Sports Commissioner. Our firm decision is to allow the MTA to get things in order as stipulated in our constitution, even if it means going to court to solve the matter."
He said the PTA believe that the MTA will be able to solve the problem amicably and that they are headed in the right direction.
The MTA, the governing body for taekwondo under the World Taekwondo Federation-system in Malaysia, were de-registered by Elyas on May 6 and have 30 days to appeal against the decision from the date of the noticification.
MTA chairman Chin Mee Keong on May 9 claimed that the national body’s perceived defiant stand against the Sports Commissioner had "101 percent support from the general council" comprising representatives from each State association.
Elyas revoked the MTA’s registration based on Article 20(1)(e) of the Sports Development Act 1997, which states that the Commissioner may revoke or suspend the registration of a sports body if the Commissioner is satisfied that such sports body is hindering the development of the particular sport and it is in the public interest to revoke or suspend its registration.
At the centre of the controversy is the MTA's reluctance to grant clubs voting rights despite Elyas presenting five models of governance and issuing the association a show cause letter on April 15.
According to Elyas, the MTA’s amendments did not guarantee clubs voting rights, contrary to what was promised by the MTA.
On Monday the Selangor Taekwondo Association became the first State body to withdraw their support of the MTA followed by the Terengganu Taekwondo Association the following day.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
May 20
THE Penang Taekwondo Association (PTA) are firmly behind the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) and their office- bearers.
PTA secretary Dr Pok Sen Wei said this is in no way showing disrespect to Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said or Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar and his office.
"It was the committee’s decision to support the national body and we stand by it till the end," Sen Wei told Timesport yesterday.
"Our decision is in no way showing disrespect to the Sports Minister or the Sports Commissioner. Our firm decision is to allow the MTA to get things in order as stipulated in our constitution, even if it means going to court to solve the matter."
He said the PTA believe that the MTA will be able to solve the problem amicably and that they are headed in the right direction.
The MTA, the governing body for taekwondo under the World Taekwondo Federation-system in Malaysia, were de-registered by Elyas on May 6 and have 30 days to appeal against the decision from the date of the noticification.
MTA chairman Chin Mee Keong on May 9 claimed that the national body’s perceived defiant stand against the Sports Commissioner had "101 percent support from the general council" comprising representatives from each State association.
Elyas revoked the MTA’s registration based on Article 20(1)(e) of the Sports Development Act 1997, which states that the Commissioner may revoke or suspend the registration of a sports body if the Commissioner is satisfied that such sports body is hindering the development of the particular sport and it is in the public interest to revoke or suspend its registration.
At the centre of the controversy is the MTA's reluctance to grant clubs voting rights despite Elyas presenting five models of governance and issuing the association a show cause letter on April 15.
According to Elyas, the MTA’s amendments did not guarantee clubs voting rights, contrary to what was promised by the MTA.
On Monday the Selangor Taekwondo Association became the first State body to withdraw their support of the MTA followed by the Terengganu Taekwondo Association the following day.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
MALAYSIA: MTA lose Terengganu TA’s support
S. Selvam
May 18
THE Terengganu Taekwondo Association (TTA) are the latest State body to withdraw their support for the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) and their office bearers due to their seemingly defiant stand against Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar and his office.
TTA president Datuk Razali Ismail also clarified that the association had full faith in Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said and Elyas to resolve the dispute amicably.
In fact, Razali said he was unaware that the TTA had voiced their objections to the way Elyas handled the whole episode and in the same letter, expressing the TTA’s support of the MTA and their office bearers.
"I don’t know what transpired but as far as we (TTA) are concerned, the sport must not suffer. We are confident that the Sports Minister will be able to resolve the issue," said Razali.
The MTA, the governing body for taekwondo under the World Taekwondo Federation-system in Malaysia, were de-registered by Elyas on May 6 and have 30 days to appeal from the date of the notification.
MTA chairman Chin Mee Keong on May 9 claimed that the MTA’s perceived defiant stand against the Sports Commissioner had "101 per cent support from the general council" comprising representatives from each State association.
Elyas revoked the registration of the MTA based on Article 20(1)(e) of the Sports Development Act, 1997 which states that the Commissioner may revoke or suspend the registration of a sports body if the Commissioner is satisfied that such sports body is hindering the development of the particular sport and it is in the public interest to revoke or suspend its registration.
At the centre of the controversy is the MTA’s reluctance to grant clubs voting rights despite Elyas presenting five models of governance and issuing the association a show cause letter on April 15.
According to Elyas, the MTA’s amendments did not guarantee clubs voting rights, contrary to what was promised by the MTA.
The Selangor Taekwondo Association (STA) were the first State body to rescind their support of the MTA.
On whether the TTA supported the MTA office bearers’ legal proceedings against the Government and Elyas, Razali said: "No. We only support Sports Minister Datuk Azalina and hope she will be able to resolve the matter as soon as possible.
"The sport, especially the children, should not suffer. And on that note, we are going to go ahead with the Junior Championships on May 27-29 in Terengganu."
A meet which the TTA and the State Government support fully.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
May 18
THE Terengganu Taekwondo Association (TTA) are the latest State body to withdraw their support for the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) and their office bearers due to their seemingly defiant stand against Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar and his office.
TTA president Datuk Razali Ismail also clarified that the association had full faith in Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said and Elyas to resolve the dispute amicably.
In fact, Razali said he was unaware that the TTA had voiced their objections to the way Elyas handled the whole episode and in the same letter, expressing the TTA’s support of the MTA and their office bearers.
"I don’t know what transpired but as far as we (TTA) are concerned, the sport must not suffer. We are confident that the Sports Minister will be able to resolve the issue," said Razali.
The MTA, the governing body for taekwondo under the World Taekwondo Federation-system in Malaysia, were de-registered by Elyas on May 6 and have 30 days to appeal from the date of the notification.
MTA chairman Chin Mee Keong on May 9 claimed that the MTA’s perceived defiant stand against the Sports Commissioner had "101 per cent support from the general council" comprising representatives from each State association.
Elyas revoked the registration of the MTA based on Article 20(1)(e) of the Sports Development Act, 1997 which states that the Commissioner may revoke or suspend the registration of a sports body if the Commissioner is satisfied that such sports body is hindering the development of the particular sport and it is in the public interest to revoke or suspend its registration.
At the centre of the controversy is the MTA’s reluctance to grant clubs voting rights despite Elyas presenting five models of governance and issuing the association a show cause letter on April 15.
According to Elyas, the MTA’s amendments did not guarantee clubs voting rights, contrary to what was promised by the MTA.
The Selangor Taekwondo Association (STA) were the first State body to rescind their support of the MTA.
On whether the TTA supported the MTA office bearers’ legal proceedings against the Government and Elyas, Razali said: "No. We only support Sports Minister Datuk Azalina and hope she will be able to resolve the matter as soon as possible.
"The sport, especially the children, should not suffer. And on that note, we are going to go ahead with the Junior Championships on May 27-29 in Terengganu."
A meet which the TTA and the State Government support fully.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
MALAYSIAA: Run-up to Manila SEA Games: 'Stay hopeful'
By RIZAL HASHIM
May 17:
MALAYSIA’S chef-de-mission to the Manila SEA Games, Low Beng Choo, remains hopeful the taekwondo exponents would be able to make the trip to the Philippines.
Although the sport's governing body, the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA), have been de-registered by the Sports Commissioner, Beng Choo has advised the exponents to remain focused on their training programme.
“We will do what we can to make sure taekwondo will be represented in the Games, including writing to the SEA Games Federation (SGF) explaining the situation and for them to be registered under the banner of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) if the issue is not resolved by then.
“As far as we are concerned, they are part of the team and remain in the programme.
“The exponents have been encouraged to continue training and not to worry about anything else,” said Beng Choo, who is also an OCM vice-president.
Beng Choo was speaking to the Press after chairing a team managers' meeting at Bukit Jalil yesterday.
MTA have instituted legal action against Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar following the de-registration on May 6, which threw the immediate future of national exponents into doubt.
On athletes who have met the SEA Games qualifying mark, Beng Choo said their place in the contingent is not assured.
“In order to justify their berths, they have to demonstrate their consistency and not take their places for granted.
“Track and field athletes who have met the requirements, for instance, will still have to prove themselves in the MAAU Open in August.
“This is to make sure we will not have any passengers in the contingent.”
Source from http://mmail.com.my
May 17:
MALAYSIA’S chef-de-mission to the Manila SEA Games, Low Beng Choo, remains hopeful the taekwondo exponents would be able to make the trip to the Philippines.
Although the sport's governing body, the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA), have been de-registered by the Sports Commissioner, Beng Choo has advised the exponents to remain focused on their training programme.
“We will do what we can to make sure taekwondo will be represented in the Games, including writing to the SEA Games Federation (SGF) explaining the situation and for them to be registered under the banner of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) if the issue is not resolved by then.
“As far as we are concerned, they are part of the team and remain in the programme.
“The exponents have been encouraged to continue training and not to worry about anything else,” said Beng Choo, who is also an OCM vice-president.
Beng Choo was speaking to the Press after chairing a team managers' meeting at Bukit Jalil yesterday.
MTA have instituted legal action against Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar following the de-registration on May 6, which threw the immediate future of national exponents into doubt.
On athletes who have met the SEA Games qualifying mark, Beng Choo said their place in the contingent is not assured.
“In order to justify their berths, they have to demonstrate their consistency and not take their places for granted.
“Track and field athletes who have met the requirements, for instance, will still have to prove themselves in the MAAU Open in August.
“This is to make sure we will not have any passengers in the contingent.”
Source from http://mmail.com.my
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