Interim committee to handle AAM tasks, Zaiton

KUALA LUMPUR: An interim committee wil l be set up as soon as possible to carry out the tasks and responsibilities of the deregistered Automobile Association of Malaysia, said Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman.

She said the committee would be responsible for managing motorsport issues until a decision was reached by AAM affiliates at the annual general meeting (AGM) in the near future.

Zaiton will meet Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in Langkawi today to explain the affiliates’ proposal to set up the interim committee.

“The committee will temporarily handle AAM’s functions until an application to form a new body is submitted to the Sports Commissioner at the AGM.

“We will expedite all processes so that motorsports in Malaysia would not be affected and we also want to take into consideration the views of all the affiliates. They will set the direction and I feel that this matter should be implemented as soon as possible because there are many races in the coming weeks,” she said.

She told reporters this after handing over the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) to the Malaysian contingent, who will be taking part in the Aesthetic Group Gymnastics World Cup and Four Continents Championships in Singapore from April 1- 4, at Wisma UFL here yesterday.

Two days ago, Zaiton issued a statement saying AAM could not organise, hold, approve or participate in any activities for any sports either within or outside the country after it was deregistered on Nov 30 last year for failing to adhere to the Sports Development Act 1997. She had explained that AAM’s appeal to the Youth and Sports Minister in accordance with Section 21 of the Act was also rejected. When asked why Motorsports Association of Malaysia ( MAM) were not appointed to replace AAM, Zaiton said: “MAM is the youngest affiliate, I’ve got no problem if all the affiliates agree to appoint MAM to run the show. But I must go with the view of all the affiliates.

“I am more than happy that we do not have to form a new body, but it is possible that this may not be in line with international procedures. I had a meeting with the affiliates earlier to get consensus,” she said. — Bernama

P 206 FC players gear up for the match against Kastam Sarikei tomorrow.

(From left) Raphael Edward, Mohd Nur Syafiq and Nurafidza Amran of Lucky held on to win the league title despite losing the positioning round match to (from right) Desmond Law, Melvin Gilbert and Ayden Phang of Tay Motors.