Kok Chi warns MISF to stay off thin ice

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi hopes that the Malaysia Ice Skating Federation (MISF) will not repeat the mistakes made by their predecessor.

MISF, which were set up in December, have been acknowledged by the Sports Commissioner’s Office (SCO) as the official governing body for the sport in Malaysia, taking over from the Ice Skating Association of Malaysia (ISAM).

ISAM were de-registered by SCO in May last year due to various issues.

They, however, went through an appeal process which was rejected by Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in October.

ISAM have also been dropped as an OCM affiliate.

Kok Chi said all national bodies and organisations must adhere to proper administration standards and practices required of them or be prepared to face the consequences.

“As every sports organisation is aware, they have to comply with the articles of their constitution and the provisions of the Sports Development Act 1997 (SDA),” he said yesterday.

“The Sports Commissioner (Datuk Zaiton Othman) is the regulator of the SDA and has the power to enforce the law.

“ISAM were de-registered after they went through the whole process, including an appeal to the Minister, which was rejected.”

Kok Chi added: “The main reason for ISAM’s de registration was the non-submission of their annual audited financial report & annual report.

“There were also allegations and complaints of the president (Fadzli Johan) having too much power as well as conflicts of interest involving his sons who are skaters.

“I hope MISF will not repeat the mistakes of ISAM,” Kok Chi said.