PHNOM PENH: A dispute over the three-month suspension of Mahithirith Kun Khmer Lvea Em club was resolved during face-to-face talks on Friday (Sept 4), but outspoken club president Meas Meul remains under suspension, despite signing a pledge to stop “insulting and defaming” Kun Khmer Federation leaders and officials.
The federation agreed to allow Khmer martial arts fighters from the club to compete after Meul acknowledged his mistakes and signed a written undertaking not to repeat his misconduct.
During the September 4 meeting, federation president Khov Chhay and other senior officials met with Meul to discuss the dispute, which had triggered widespread debate on social media.
Meul agreed to delete social media posts that Chhay described as damaging the reputations of federation secretary-general Srun Vuthy and vice-president Tuy Bunhoeun, and to issue a public video apology.
He also pledged to comply with the federation’s internal regulations and statutes, accepting that he would bear legal responsibility if similar conduct occurred again.
Despite the agreement, the federation said the disciplinary action against Meul himself remained in place.
“After hearing from Meul and considering public opinion, the federation has decided to allow the athletes of Mahithirith Kun Khmer Lvea Em club to compete, However, the disciplinary action against the club president remains in effect until further notice,” the federation noted, in a statement.
The decision to lift the club’s suspension, which was issued just five days earlier, has prompted questions from some supporters over the consistency of the federation’s disciplinary measures.
Critics have questioned what principles underpin the federation’s decisions, noting that the club’s suspension was withdrawn entirely following mediation and the signing of an undertaking.
Chhay acknowledged that reform inevitably brings disagreement, criticism and opposition because it requires changes to established habits, working practices and previous procedures.
But he said the federation would not abandon its principles or halt its reform process.
“Reform inevitably faces conflict, disagreement, criticism and opposition because it requires changes to habits, working methods and previously incorrect practices. But these difficulties and pressures cannot cause the federation to abandon its principles or stop the reform process,” Kouv said, following the meeting.
He explained that the federation was prepared to listen to honest and constructive criticism and use it to review and improve its shortcomings.
At the same time, however, it would take a firm position against violations of laws, statutes, competition regulations and codes of conduct, he said, adding that individual or group interests would not be allowed to take precedence over the wider interests of Kun Khmer.
“Genuine reform cannot be measured by whether everyone is satisfied. It must be measured by tangible results — building an institution with order, transparency, fairness, professionalism and a high level of accountability,” Chhay said.
“Whatever obstacles it faces, the federation will continue this reform process with patience, caution and determination to ensure Kun Khmer develops sustainably, inclusively and to international standards comparable with those of developed countries,” he added. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
