Cabinet members barred from heading sports governing bodies, says Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: Members of the administration, including ministers and deputy ministers, are barred from heading any sports associations, says government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the decision was made by the Cabinet at Wednesday's (Aug 28) meeting based on a precedent in 2007.

“The same decision was made by the Cabinet in 2007 and what was decided today was to continue that practice,” he told a press conference after the meeting.

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Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said the decision effectively put paid to his and fellow minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s respective bids for the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) presidency.

“Nik Nazmi and I will not run for KLFA president. Effective immediately, I withdraw from contesting for the post,” he said.

On Friday (Aug 23), Fahmi announced that he would be vying for the post, after Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi declared his intention to contest on Aug 9.

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On Wednesday, Nik Nazmi also confirmed that he was pulling out of the race in light of the Cabinet's decision.

"The Cabinet decided that ministers would not be allowed to compete for positions in sports associations.

“Thus, I would like to announce that I accept the decision and will pull out from the presidential elections," he said in a statement posted on Instagram.