Ministers, Deputy Ministers Barred From Holding Posts In Sports Bodies. Ban MBs, CMs Too

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has barred ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries from holding posts in sports associations, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Wednesday.

She said the prime minister issued the directive, which took immediate effect, at the weekly Cabinet meeting today. The move is to ensure ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries are not bogged down with too many responsibilities.

The directive, however, was not binding on menteris besar and chief ministers, she told Bernama.

Meanwhile, the directive was greeted with mixed reaction by the sports fraternity.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said the prime minister may have his reasons to issue the directive as people involved in sports bodies, especially at national level, need to devote a lot of time and at the same time are required to attend to their ministerial duties and functions.

Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) secretary Chan Foong Keong said though it would be a big loss to the association, "we will have to adhere to it since the prime minister has made the decision." TTAM is among sports associations affected by the directive. The others are Malaysian Body Building Federation (MBBF), Equestrian Association of Malaysia (EAM) and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn is MBBF president; Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy (TTAM president); Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis (EAM president); and Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Anifah Aman (FAM vice-president).

Energy, Water and Communication Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik is International Wushu Federation vice-president.

A number of state and district-level associations is also expected to be affected by the directive as some ministers and deputy ministers are known to hold positions in them.

***** Despite what some of these officials may say, in the long run this is the best thing that can happen to Malaysian sports. However the PM should exercise his personal authority and also ban as many MBs and CMs as possible from further ruining sports in our country.

While it may be construed as disrespect if Pak Lah were to mention Royalty, it is high time that those Royals who are involved in sports take the hint and regally step down. They will be doing the nation a great favour.

One reason why so many politicians are into sports, apart from the pemimpin's desire for publicity, is the damn opportunistic leeches that many of these sports officials are. They suck up to these leaders who know diddly-squat about a sport merely for personal gain. In the process true sportspersons and knowledgeable administrators are sidelined and the old order persists long, long after the expiry date. And as an end result, these power brokers have murdered sports in our country.

All we can say is "better late than never". Well done Pak Lah.
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UPDATE.
Obedient Cabinet: Ministers Adhere To Directive To Vacate Posts In Sports Bodies.
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