When Malaysia Athletics (MA) chief Karim Ibrahim announced Shahidan Kassim’s appointment as honorary life president on Thursday, jaws dropped more at the how than the who.
After all, MA’s constitution doesn’t even provide for such a role.
To retroactively invent it is more than eyebrow‑raising. It’s constitutionally dubious. It’s a title without a foundation.
Professional sports bodies, whether global federations or state associations, operate on bedrock governance.
And that is: a clear constitution, transparent election and appointment processes, and checks on power.
Deviating from these principles risks arbitrary rule, eroding stakeholder trust.
By bestowing Shahidan this perpetual title despite no constitutional footing, MA has effectively sidelined due process.
Alongside his elected presidency of the Perlis Athletics Association, he now holds a lifelong, national appointment in MA.
This dual authority blurs the lines between his state mandate and a nominally state‑neutral national role.
Dual allegiances breed real or perceived conflicts, stifle fresh perspectives and concentrate influence in too few hands.
Some will argue MA can simply amend its rulebook: call an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), table a constitutional amendment, secure a two‑thirds majority vote and legitimise the honorary role.
Yet hurriedly instituting a lifetime presidency, then scrambling to retrofit approval, undermines the integrity of that process.
The Selangor Athletics Association erroneously tabled the lifetime presidency proposal at last month’s AGM, and it met with applause instead of scrutiny.
Did the new council genuinely weigh the implications before endorsing it at its first meeting on Thursday?
Karim claims unanimous council support for Shahidan’s title. But unanimity in ignorance is no defence.
If none of MA’s elected representatives noted the absence of a constitutional clause, it betrays either wilful blindness or abject incompetence.
In either case, the council has failed in its duty to safeguard MA’s rulebook, and by extension, the sport itself.
The honorary life presidency should be just that: honorary.
In practice, without a clear scope, it dilutes accountability and accelerates the drift toward autocracy.
Shahidan’s legacy might deserve honour, but not at the expense of MA’s constitution.
Honour the rulebook first, then honour the man.
More question marks
Karim’s simultaneous announcement of a new working committee, including former athletes charged with driving MA’s development, should have been a bright spot.
Instead, some appointments, like the elevation of his daughter, Nurhayati, from general manager to secretary-general raised further questions.
There’s also Salim Parlan, now head of MA’s legal and disciplinary committee.
He carries a 2012 shariah conviction for khalwat (being in close proximity).
The constitution does allow those convicted of wrongdoing to serve five years after their conviction.
But, entrusting someone fined for unbecoming conduct with upholding MA’s ethical standards smacks of insensitivity, at best.
Salim was a former youth and sports ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic), and a former road transport department deputy director-general.
Then, there is the contentious appointment of R Annamalai as chairman of the medical and anti-doping committee.
A suitable chairman for the committee must be a fully registered medical practitioner, ideally with postgraduate training in sports medicine or a related specialty.
The person must also hold formal Wada or Adamas‑accredited certification in anti‑doping control.
They should have several years of hands‑on experience managing in and out‑of‑competition testing, plus a spotless professional record.
Equally important are demonstrated skills in governing complex protocols.
These include deep familiarity with the Wada code and World Athletics regulations, proven ability to lead multi‑stakeholder meetings, and clear, concise reporting and communication abilities.
Such credentials ensure that athlete health is managed by a clinician of credibility, while anti‑doping procedures meet rigorous international standards.
It is critical both for fair competition and for maintaining Malaysia’s reputation in global athletics.
A qualified chairman reduces the risk of procedural errors, sanctions or loss of stakeholder trust, and signals MA’s commitment to integrity on and off the track.
Annamalai, who is MA vice-president and Pahang Athletics Association president, is none of the above.
What is at stake?
Public confidence, athlete morale and corporate sponsorship depend on transparency.
When governance lapses, sponsors think twice, athletes worry about fairness, and fans grow cynical.
Worse, constitutional chicanery sets a dangerous precedent, inviting arbitrary titles and unchecked power grabs in the future.
MA must now choose between two paths. First, convene an EGM to restore procedural integrity.
Alternatively, MA could persist with clandestine deals and ad-hoc designations, worsening its governance crisis and inviting closer scrutiny from World Athletics.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.