All proper paperwork done to hold marathon, says organiser

KLANG: The Klang International City Marathon organiser insists that it adhered to procedures, including filing applications and getting the necessary permits to hold the event.

A spokesman, identified only as Tay, said the organising team submitted the applications to the police and Klang Municipal Council (MPK) in June and received the approvals in August.

“No company in the world will dare go on with such a big event without going through the relevant authorities because this concerns the safety of all participants,” he said.

Asked if they were aware that approval from the Youth and Sports Ministry’s Sports Commissioner’s Office was needed, and if they had enough marshals on the ground to ensure safety, Tay said: “I do not want to comment further and we will leave the matter to our lawyer.

“I can only say that we have been cooperating with the police in their investigation,” he said, adding that the injured participants were their main concern now.

When asked why the event was held in the wee hours, Tay stressed that it was because of safety considerations.

He said the seven-hour event was conducted on a busy main road and it would pose more danger to participants during the day when there would be more traffic.

North Klang OCPD Asst Comm Mazelan Paijan said police received a letter from the organiser in July, requesting for traffic control.

“We responded and told the organiser to adhere to traffic regulations,” said ACP Mazelan.

A police source from the South Klang district police HQ confirmed receiving a similar letter.

The source also said a reply was given to the organiser regarding the scope of traffic control.

It is learnt that police performed background checks on any event organiser as standard procedure, and the company did not raise any “red flag”.

On Monday, sports commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman said the marathon was held without approval.

MPK president Datuk Mohamad Yasid Bidin could not be reached for comment at press time.