THE Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Mohamad Norza Zakaria said it will submit an official protest to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh regarding Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias’ reported threat to deregister the council.

Norza said it was improper because of OCM’s status as the umbrella body for national sports associations was guaranteed under the Sports Development Act 1997.

“His statement, if it is true, shows malicious intent,” he said in a statement today, adding Suhardi had gone overboard and should clear the air.

He has directed OCM secretary-general Nazifuddin Mohd Najib to lodge a protest if Suhardi had indeed made the threat.

A one-minute and 20-second audio clip has gone viral on WhatsApp with a speaker, whose voice resembled Suhardi, threatening to deregister OCM.

The recording is believed to have been made at a meeting between Suhardi and leaders of two e-sports bodies following the registration of an umbrella body of the sports on November 14. – Bernama, November 17, 2023.