Ministers accept decision to bar them from heading sports bodies

PETALING JAYA: The ministers in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet have all accepted the decision not to allow them to hold top positions in sports associations.

Following the order, both Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil have pulled out from the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) presidential elections.

Nik Nazmi said on his social media page: ‘‘The Cabinet has decided that those in ministerial positions can’t compete for positions in sports associations.

“Thus, I accept the decision and will pull out from contesting in the KLFA elections.

But I am still committed to helping KLFA build a healthy football ecosystem and will support Kuala Lumpur City as a professional football team.

“At the same time, I will continue being a patron to Setiawangsa Rangers, an affiliate under KLFA, which I founded in 2018.”

Fahmi, who announced the Cabinet’s decision after the meeting, said: “The Cabinet has decided that ministers and deputy ministers are not allowed to hold top positions in any sports association.

“The same decision was made by the Cabinet in 2007 and what was decided today was to continue that practice.

“So Nik Nazmi and I will not run for KLFA president.”

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

In May last year, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said that sports should be kept clear of politics when asked about the involvement of politicians in sports associations.