Fight For OCM Top Posts, Kok Chi Retained As Hon Sect

KUALA LUMPUR, May (Bernama) -- The Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) Annual General Assembly on May 30 is expected to see a fiery battle for the posts of president and deputy president.

When nominations closed at 5pm today, the OCM received challengers for the president and deputy president's posts, currently held by Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar and Datuk M Jegathesan respectively, but their names were not announced.

However, the post of Honorary secretary held by Datuk Sieh Kok Chi since 1992, would not be contested together with posts of Honorary treasurer, assistant Honorary treasurer and the women's vice president's posts.

Apart from the two top posts, other posts that would see contests are the posts of vice presidents (four), assistant Honorary secretary (male) and assistant Honorary secretary (female).

For the president, Tunku Imran is expected to be challenged by former Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim while the deputy president's post is expected to be a race between Jegathesan and current vice president Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad.

"I promise to carry out my duties better, more fairly and transparently for the development of sports in the country. I cannot deny that I had thought of giving up the post but the national sports associations still need my service," he told reporters here Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Low Beng Choo who was initially rumoured to take on Kok Chi, retained her post of the women's vice president while Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee and Rosmanizam Abdullah kept their Honorary treasurer and assistant Honorary treasurer posts.

A panel of three independent members comprising former OCM vice-president Norminshah Sabirin, Datuk Abdul Malik Mohd Salleh and Stanley Charles Louis have been appointed to oversee the AGM in line with the amendment to the OCM constitution on conducting the election as agreed by the Sports Commissioner's Office.

The posts of assistant Honorary secretaries are currently held by Ramlay Ibrahim and Moira Tan Siew See.

According to Norminshah, the names of the candidates will be announced on Friday.



-- BERNAMA