MCF ceases investigations into chess tournament incident

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) has ceased investigations into the incident where a 12-year-old girl was allegedly forced to withdraw from a chess tournament for wearing an "improper" dress.

MCF deputy president Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said the decision was made as the tournament director had filed a police report.

He said that preliminary queries were made and an Investigation Committee (IC) was formed on April 30.

He added that the IC ascertained that the player was never disqualified or forced to withdraw as alleged.

Tengku Ahmad also said they were not privy to public statements or press conferences made by both the tournament director and the chief arbiter of the National Scholastic Chess Championships 2017.

"We trust the police will expedite their investigations into this matter and hope the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously for all parties concerned. MCF will extend its fullest co-operation," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

He also asked all parties not to mention the name of the player as she is a minor.

It was reported that during the tournament in Putrajaya on April 14, the girl was told mid-game by the chief arbiter that her short-sleeved knee-length dress was "improper" and she would not allowed to wear a similar dress for the next round.

The girl's mother, Chin Wai Ling, said the director's pronouncement was only made around 10pm when shops were closing, so she did not have time to buy slacks for the following day's 9am start time.

Feeling harassed and humiliated, the girl, who is the Kuala Lumpur district chess champion, withdrew from the tournament.