KUALA LUMPUR: The Sports Development (Amendment) Bill 2026, which proposes giving the authorities powers to declare sports bodies unlawful and deregister them, was passed by the Dewan Rakyat.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (pic) said the proposed Section 41A of the Bill could not be used to punish sports associations that disagreed with the government.
He said the provision could only be invoked when a sports body was used in a manner that threatened national security, public order or morality.
“Differences of opinion, internal disputes, unhappiness with a sports body’s leadership or differences in stance between a sports body and the Government do not by themselves meet that threshold,” he said when winding up the debate on the Bill.
He added that any order declaring a sports body unlawful would have to be gazetted and made only after consultation with the Sports Commissioner, while remaining subject to judicial review.
Dr Mohammed Taufiq cited the Federal Court’s 1979 ruling in Pengarah Tanah dan Galian v Sri Lempah Enterprise, in which then acting Chief Justice of Malaya Raja Azlan Shah held that “unfettered discretion is a contradiction in terms”.
He also assured the House that implementation of the provisions under the Bill would be guided by clear parameters to prevent the ministry from interpreting it too broadly.
“For example, in the context of Malaysia’s national security, the provision would cover sports bodies used to finance terrorism or conduct subversive or espionage activities.
“While in terms of public order, the provision would only cover sports bodies used to organise riots or violence.”
He said that in terms of morality, the provision would apply only under serious circumstances, such as sports bodies being systematically used for sexual exploitation, prostitution or sex trafficking.
Under the Bill, the Sports Commissioner may also direct registered sports bodies to amend their constitutions to comply with the Sports Development Act 1997.
The Commissioner’s approval would also be required before a sports body changes its name, address or constitution.
Assets of deregistered sports bodies would be vested in the Director-General of Insolvency, while new bodies could apply to take over the assets and debts of the former bodies with High Court approval.
The Bill also introduces a new clause giving enforcement officers powers to investigate, seize documents and apply for search warrants.
Prosecutions would require the Public Prosecutor’s written consent.
The Bill would also empower the minister to make regulations on anti-doping and safe sport ahead of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code, which takes effect on Jan 1 next year.
