Sports Minister vows to shield Sarawak badminton, will not let trouble disrupt contingent amid leadership turmoil

Abdul Karim addressing reporters outside the Borneo Cultures Museum on June 15, 2024.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, June 15: Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has vowed to safeguard the Sarawak badminton team and will not let anybody cause trouble to the extent of disrupting the contingent.

His comments came in response to a recent Kuching High Court decision, which nullified the appointment of Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) office bearers following a dispute over its annual general meeting (AGM) and election proceedings held in a hybrid format in July 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a press statement issued by SBA on Friday (June 14), the court ruling on May 17, 2024, reinstated the rightful leadership of president Nathan Laing, secretary Johnny Ng and treasurer Robert Law, along with the memberships of seven affiliate members.

“If these guys intend to take over the association, go ahead. We can always set up a new association. If someone insists and is happy to become the president, let them be. It does not mean badminton will die in Sarawak. No way, I will look after badminton.

“I will look after the players, as it is we have already done it. I have my contingency plan,” he told reporters in a doorstep interview after an event at Borneo Cultures Museum today.

He emphasised that his Ministry is not involved in the case as the SBA is registered under the Commissioner of Sports. However, as the minister overseeing sports in Sarawak, he assured that he is monitoring the situation and will ensure the well-being of the Sarawak badminton team.

Abdul Karim expressed that the court’s decision would not have major repercussions on Sarawak badminton, including the contingent participation in the upcoming Sukma Games 2024 Sarawak, noting that internal squables and disputes are common within sports associations.

“Personally, I see somebody wants to take over the association. Some members were unsatisfied with the AGM and brought the matter to court.

“Those who aspire to take over, they have gone to court, and I respect the decision of the court,” he said.

However, Abdul Karim also gathered that there would be an appeal to the court’s decision, whose dispute had left him puzzled as to what had happened in the AGM and EGM as there must be procedures to comply, including an election and announcement of the decision.

“I am not against the court which has made its decision, but I am somewhat puzzled. I am not sure (what happened in the meetings) because I am not party to their decisions. I only read about it in media reports where the court ruled that this is the team who should take over.

“I am not taking sides but I feel something is not right somewhere,” he said. — DayakDaily