PARLIAMENT | Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today told MPs, including those from the government, to refrain from accepting any appointments to lead sports associations in the country.

Syed Saddiq said that, despite the fact that it was outside his jurisdiction as a minister, the urging was necessary to prevent political interference in sports, which might affect the future of sports in the country.

"I would like to urge members of Parliament, if possible, please do not accept appointments as president or chairman of existing sports associations. This may seem small but the implications are great.

"When accepting (appointments), later (the ministry would) receive letters informing it (the ministry) that it must give additional allocation (to this sports association) whereas in the developed world, no politician is leading a sports association," he said when winding up the motion on the 11th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review for his ministry, today.

According to Syed Saddiq, the intervention of politicians could disrupt the ministry's method of allocating financial allocations to an association that should be based on merit and performance to ensure that the truly qualified associations received the allocation.

However, he said that there was no coercion in the matter as the ministry, particularly its minister, could not intervene in the selections in sports associations as it would have a major implication on the country's sports sector.

"The implication is huge if the minister intervenes, for example, if I say I issue a directive, it is highly likely that FAM or the Malaysian football team cannot represent Malaysia internationally, as there will be a sanction from Fifa as had happened in Indonesia recently when there was intervention from their ministry, "he explained.

Meanwhile, when met by reporters at the Parliament lobby, Syed Saddiq said that any quarter wishing to lead a sports association should have the expertise and interest in the sport and not just hold political positions.

"It is to ensure the country's sporting landscape is driven by sports enthusiasts and those who are qualified, if only based on political positions, I advise to stop them.

“If they continue to do so, do not come to the ministry to request for special or additional provisions just because they have a political position,” the minister said.

He said this when asked to comment on media reports that the Dewan Rakyat's deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon was offered to contest as Kuala Lumpur Football Association President (KLFA).

‘Time for Malays to move forward together’

Meanwhile, commenting on his statement that the era of Malay supremacy had ended, Syed Saddiq said the matters enshrined in the Federal Constitution should be maintained and defended.

"Now is the time to make sure we move forward together and the Malays can be recognised as independent and sovereign.

“And Malay leaders come from among those who are trustworthy and with integrity, and we will be honoured without compulsion," he said.

On Saturday, Syed Saddiq, who is the Bersatu Youth chief, reportedly said that the days of Malay supremacy had ended and Malaysia was moving towards a new phase that fought for equality, and that was also the agenda championed by Bersatu.

The statement of the youngest minister in the Malaysian cabinet had been criticised by some quarters.

- Bernama