OCM president Norza Zakaria said it was improper of Suhardi to act that way because its status as the umbrella body for national sports associations was guaranteed under the Sports Development Act 1997.

“His statement, if it is true, shows malicious intent on the part of the sports commissioner,” he said in a statement.

Without wanting to jump to conclusions, Norza said Suhardi had gone overboard with the statement and should clear the air.

He said he directed OCM secretary-general Nazifuddin Najib to take appropriate action by lodging a protest if Suhardi had indeed made the threat.

An 80-second audio clip has gone viral on social media, featuring someone whose voice resembled that of Suhardi, threatening to deregister OCM.

The recording is believed to have been made at a meeting between Suhardi and two groups representing e-sports leaders following the registration and international membership of an umbrella body of the sports last Nov 14.