KUALA LUMPUR: The nomination of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz (pic) as a candidate for the presidency of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) for the 2025-2029 term has sparked debate over whether he is the right person for the role.
This comes after the Cabinet decided last year to bar ministers and deputy ministers from contesting or holding positions in sports associations.
Tengku Zafrul, who is currently serving as a senator and the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, is the sole candidate and has received full backing from all BAM council members to take on the presidency.
The 51-year-old politician was previously linked to the position as a replacement for Tan Sri Norza Zakaria in 2024. However, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had requested Norza to remain in the role until the conclusion of the Paris Olympics.
Following Norza’s official resignation from BAM last August, Datuk V. Subramaniam was appointed acting president and will serve in the role until BAM’s new executive committee elections, scheduled for May 10.
BAM have also reached out to Tengku Zafrul regarding the nomination, and he has personally accepted it with an open heart.
“I would like to thank BAM for their confidence in nominating me as president of the Association. I feel truly humbled and touched by this recognition.
“As such, I humbly accept the nomination for the presidency. If elected, I will serve BAM and the sport of badminton to the best of my abilities for the supporters of badminton across Malaysia,” said Tengku Zafrul.
From BAM’s perspective, they need someone with a corporate background who can lead the organisation while continuing the legacy left by Norza.
As one of the country’s elite national sports associations, the governing body require a leader who can bridge the corporate world with the sports scene, especially badminton which holds a special place among Malaysians.
“I want to see BAM grow as an organisation, not as individuals. When we looked at the bigger picture and carefully evaluated the situation, I agreed that only the right person should lead BAM. We are here to assist, and this is not about personal interests.
“With that in mind, I believe Tengku Zafrul is the right candidate to be BAM president in the upcoming election.
“There must be continuity in BAM’s leadership. After Tan Sri Norza, we need someone of the same calibre or even better. On that basis, I have consulted the majority of my council members, and they have all agreed,” said Subramaniam.
