Bernama was reliably informed that an official from the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) had submitted a tender for the supply of gymnastics equipment through a company in which the official is believed to have a vested interest.

According to a source close to the tender process, though such a submission would be a conflict of interest, those in the panel, including the National Sports Council (NSC) have not rejected the bid.

“This is against the integrity pledge that Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has been promoting for associations and companies to abide by when accepting the call from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for companies, associations and government agencies to sign integrity pledges.

“It is rightly so that the MACC step in to check this,” said the source.

Malaysia will be hosting the SEA Games for the sixth time and any supply of substandard equipment for the prestigious event would certainly tarnish the image of the country.

The SEA Games, to be held from Aug 19 to 31, will be all the more important as the closing ceremony coincides with Malaysia’s 60th Independence Day. Gymnastics, among the major contributors of gold medals in the SEA Games, will feature 20 events – 12 in Artistic and 8 in Rhythmic.

Malaysia as the host of the 29th edition will be aiming for a major haul of gold medals from gymnastics.