A group of NGOs have criticised the Olympic Council Malaysia for its "hurried" response after its secretary-general Mohammad Nazifuddin Najib raised concern that Malaysia may not be able to host the international future sporting competition for banning Israeli athletes.

The group of 29 NGOs, including BDS Malaysia and Viva Palestina Malaysia Malaysia, said the Olympic Council Malaysia "seems to be afraid of shadows" for their "hurried and pessimistic" reaction.

Nazifuddin was quoted by The Vibes as saying that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had conveyed to him during...