KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Athletics (MA) president Datuk Karim Ibrahim will step aside after key constitutional amendments are finalised, as the national body seeks to rebuild credibility following recent controversies.
Karim said the decision was made collectively by the council after a turbulent period that drew intense public and media scrutiny and raised concerns among stakeholders and sponsors.
"What we have decided is to align our constitution fully with the requirements set out, not directly by World Athletics, but through the vetting process, to ensure consistency with international standards. The council has unanimously agreed to this full alignment," he said on Wednesday (May 6), thanking council members for their unity during the challenging period.
"Once these amendments are finalised, approved by the council, and endorsed by the Sports Commissioner, I will take leave and subsequently relinquish my post for the betterment of the athletes, the association, and the nation.”
Karim, who was elected in June last year, had previously been suspended by World Athletics in 2018 over doping-related matters and the misuse of athletes’ allowances. The sanction was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
His return followed an amendment to MA’s constitution that enabled him to contest, although WA is understood to have maintained its position on the matter in correspondence addressed to Karim and former Sports Commissioner Zaiton Othman.
Deputy president Wan Hisham Wan Salleh will oversee daily operations in the interim.
Wan Hisham described the move as selfless, adding that Karim would continue to assist during the transition to ensure stability within the association.
