http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia...g-sept-16-rally

The Malay Mail
OCM chief ‘shocked’ by silat group’s role in planning Sept 16 rally
By Haresh Deol
Sunday September 13, 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 — Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Ja’afar expressed shock upon learning his vice-president was at the forefront of this Wednesday’s anti-Bersih rally at Padang Merbok.

Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who was recently elected OCM vice-president, also serves as secretary-general of the National Silat Federation (Pesaka) — the organiser of Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu.

“I am shocked ... at a loss for words actually. Sports associations should not get involved in politics,” said Tunku Imran.

“I am unable to say more except that I will have to bring this up at our next meeting on Sept 22.”

Sportswriters Association of Malaysia president Ahmad Khawari Isa said sporting bodies and officials should uphold the basic values of sports.

“As far as I am concerned, Pesaka is a sports body affiliated to OCM. If they, or any other sports bodies, organise or participate in such gatherings, then OCM should re-look their membership.

“Such actions go against the core values of sports which is fairplay, sportsmanship and unity for all,” he said.

Megat Zulkarnain insisted Pesaka had every right to organise the gathering as they wanted to promote “peace”. The gathering was in retaliation to the Bersih rally held recently.

He also revealed Pesaka was registered under the Registrar of Societies (RoS) and the Sports Development Act 1997 as it promoted “the Malay culture” and the sport.

Section 16 of the Act states any sports body registered under the Societies Act 1966 shall cease to be registered and apply to the Commissioner to be registered under the Sports Development Act to carry out sporting activities.

The silat federation enjoys funding from the Youth and Sports Ministry, through the National Sports Council, in hiring coaches and sending exponents for major competitions abroad.

Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman refused to comment about Pesaka’s role in the gathering while efforts to get Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin proved futile.

According to its website, Pesaka is a “voluntary body based on brotherhood, mutual respect and does not differentiate racial issues”.

“It is apolitical and would work with any legal organisation to develop and expand silat. It also conforms to the principles of Rukun Negara,” the website stated.

Pesaka is affiliated to the International Pencak Silat Federation.

The national body’s role in leading the Sept 16 gathering had baffled many.

Megat Zulkarnain had last month criticised a so-called silat demonstration by a “red shirt” group, who were seen breaking tiles and wood with their heads and body, claiming the group had tarnished the image of the sport.

He was then quoted as saying Pesaka members were discouraged from taking part in the rally and would not hesitate to protect the country if asked.

Sg Besar Umno divisional leader Jamal Mohd Yunos, had last month, said he would gather one million individuals on Oct 10 but was quoted yesterday as saying there would only be this Wednesday’s rally.

Yes. It is in SEA games and ASIAN games.

You all have become too cynical.

Lets take what he said and his expression of shock in good faith lah.

PS
Think a bit, you all could be falling for the divisive politics that some people are trying so hard to perpetuate.

Making you cynical is also part of the agenda.

By you being cynical and saying bullshit to everything they do, it helps them in a small way to draw and gain more support.

They are more focused on being in power.

They don't share your concerns.

Yes.

But they will keep on rolling......