Enough safeguards against power to axe sports bodies, says minister

 Dr Taufiq Johari says deregistering a sports body is a lengthy process and requires the minister to seek the sports commissioner's advice.

Youth and sports minister Dr Taufiq Johari said the deregistration of sports bodies could be challenged in court and organisations would also be given a chance to explain why they should not be axed. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

Youth and sports minister Dr Taufiq Johari has sought to allay concerns over the power bestowed upon a minister to deregister a sports body under the Sports Development (Amendment) Bill 2026.

Taufiq said there were sufficient safeguards in place to prevent the unilateral exercise of this authority, including the requirement to obtain the sports commissioner’s advice, which he said would involve a lengthy process.

Under the amendment bill, sports bodies used for purposes harmful to national security, public order or morality could be declared unlawful by the minister and struck off immediately.

“Only if they breach (these elements) can the minister deregister them after a lengthy process that takes into account the country’s security interests, public peace and morality,” Taufiq said when winding up the debate on the bill in the Dewan Rakyat.

He added that the deregistration could be challenged in court, and that sports bodies would be given a 30-day notice period to explain themselves over the charges laid out against them. - FMT