Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) vice-president Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah today said that allegations against his eligibility for running for the honorary secretary’s post was done in ‘panic’ by those who were trying to oust him.
He explained in a press conference today that he was still a member of OCM and had the right to contest in tomorrow’s elections for the 2015/2017 session during OCM’s annual general meeting.
“There is no reason for me not being able to contest. I don’t work with OCA and there is still no investigation pertaining the said matter by OCA.
“In my view, there are individuals who are trying to defame me and attempting to remove me from tomorrow’s elections. They are aware that I am getting full support from the affiliates, they panicked and they had to do something,” he said.
According to Danyal, the letter from OCA director Husain Al-Musallam dated Aug 18 was supposed to be confidential as directed by OCM president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar.
“Tunku Imran issued a directive to the executive board that this matter remains confidental and would be dealt with by the executive board after the OCM’s AGM,” he said.
The media today speculated that Danyal’s chances of contesting for the election would be affected after he was suspended by the OCA from engaging in any activities related to OCA.
Danyal’s suspension was informed by the director general of the OCA to MOM, whereby the suspension took place with immediate effect after Danyal was reported to have violated the Olympic Charter when he had allegedly made racist remarks.
He was reported to have violated the charter in a WhatsApp social group chat during the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting recently. – BERNAMA
