Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has responded positively to the suggestion from the All Women’s Action Society (Awam) for more diversity among individuals holding key decision-making positions in the National Sports Council (NSC).
“Personally, I have taken note of the suggestion from Awam that there should be more diversity in terms of backgrounds so that sports administrative bodies will be more sensitive towards the needs of our athletes.
“It is not just men vs women, but also diversity in religion, philosophy, sports and corporate experience, vision as well as international experience that will add value to our work,” Wan Fayhsal (above) told Malaysiakini when contacted yesterday.
However, he noted that in terms of governance structure, Awam’s input should be fine-tuned.
“For the sake of good governance, the separation of job scopes and responsibilities should be clearly demarcated.
“This is important so that conflicts of interest can be avoided and we can maintain integrity at the highest level,” he said.
Wan Fayhsal also called on everyone not to be too impatient and to wait for an official statement after the investigations into the sexual harassment claims have been completed.
It was reported earlier today that Awam said key sports agencies and institutions must take a firm stand on zero tolerance of sexual harassment and assault by creating an ecosystem that both prevents and addresses the issue.
“The preventive prong should take the form of sexual harassment training programmes that inculcate awareness on types, causes and channels of redress of sexual harassment.
"The restorative prong should take the form of complaints and inquiry mechanisms as well as whistleblower policies," said Awam.
Awam: Attention must be paid to the sports council
It also highlighted that the NSC manages all coaches and athletes under the Youth and Sports Ministry, so attention must be paid to this council to ensure that proper anti-sexual harassment policies are put in place and that they are implemented properly and accountable.
Wan Fayhsal said while it is true all coaches and athletes are managed by the NSC, it is still the Youth and Sports Ministry that deals with policymaking.
He also agreed with Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who had yesterday promised there would be no cover-up in the investigations against alleged sexual abuse in the sports arena.
Reezal had said he was "disturbed", "angry" and "disappointed" to read the reports on the abuses, adding, "There is no room for this to continue to happen and to disrupt the works of our country's talent and sports development."
Earlier this week, Malaysiakini had reported cases from former national swimmer Cindy Ong and others who had to endure sexual harassment and assault from their coaches. - Mkini
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