Monday September 24, 2012

Shahidan and Karim lose MAU elections

By AFTAR SINGH

KUALA LUMPUR: In a stunning show of their disapproval the Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) affiliates rang in the changes by drumming out incumbent president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and his controversial deputy, Datuk Karim Ibrahim.

Clearly unhappy with the state of athletics in the country and eager to salvage the battered image of the association, the 15 affiliates voted in Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad as the new president yesterday.

The 71-year-old Zainal, the Negri Sembilan AA president, received 23 votes – two more than Shahidan.

The new lineup: Newly-elected Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) officials (from left) vice-president Datuk Paduka Mumtaz Jaafar, deputy president Datuk Wan Hisyam Wan Salleh, president Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad and vice-presidents Datuk R. Annamalai and K. Yogasveran.

Terengganu AA president Datuk Wan Hisyam Wan Salleh was elected the new deputy president. He received 25 votes while Karim received 19.

Seven candidates contested the four vice -president posts after P. Solomon of Kedah withdrew at the last minute.

K. Yogasveran of Selangor, who pulled out of the race for the deputy presidency on Saturday, received the most number of votes (32).

Datuk Paiman Abdul Karim of Sabah was next with 28 followed by incumbents Datuk R. Annamalai of Pahang (25) and Datuk Paduka Mumtaz Jaafar of Negri Sembilan (24), who filled the slot reserved for women.

Shahidan, who had been the MAU president since 2006, was clearly shocked at the outcome of the elections.

The former Perlis menteri besar left soon after without announcing the new line-up of officials.

Shahidan said he accepted the defeat.

“I failed to retain the post not because I was protecting Karim. I managed MAU well ... but the delegates obviously wanted a change in leadership,” said Shahidan.

“I have contributed enough to MAU and wish the new committee the best of luck in running the association.

“I will continue to serve athletics as the Perlis AA president.”

Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, who withdrew from the contest for the top post on Saturday because the MAU constitution was being breached and the elections were invalid as such, did not attend the AGM.

Danyal, in a letter to Sports Commissioner Datuk Mohd Yassin Mohd Salleh, had said MAU were not adhering to Article 8.7.1 of the constitution that states all nominations should be properly proposed and seconded by the affiliates with confirmation of acceptance by the candidates delivered to the MAU at least two weeks before the AGM.

Returning officer T. Kumar, who had pointed out the breach, also skipped the AGM. The delegates nominated lawyer Mahinder Singh as the returning officer in his place.

Before the elections started, Malacca AA secretary P. Rengan had asked Shahidan to postpone the AGM because it contravened Article 8.7.1 but the delegates decided to continue with the meeting.

HOW THE ELECTIONS WENT

President: Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad 23 votes

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim 21

Deputy president: Datuk Wan Hisyam Wan Salleh 25, Datuk Karim Ibrahim 19

Vice-presidents (4): K. Yogasveran 32, Datuk Paiman Abdul Karim 28, Datuk R. Annamalai 25, Datuk Paduka Mumtaz Jaafar 24, S. Rajasegranm 24, Mohamed Awang 21, Rajemah Ahmad 21.

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