Sports commissioner probes Malaysia Athletics over Karim Ibrahim’s comeback

Malaysia Athletics president Karim Ibrahim, whose lifetime ban by World Athletics remains in force, is now at the centre of an official probe into the legality of his return to office.

KUALA LUMPUR: The sports commissioner has launched an investigation into Malaysia Athletics (MA) after a complaint over a controversial rule change.

The amendment cleared the way for Karim Ibrahim to reclaim the MA presidency, despite a ban that is effectively for life.

The complaint alleges the constitutional change — which introduced a “five-year cap” on suspensions — violated national sports regulations.

It also claims MA ignored a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling and breached the World Athletics’ governance code, allowing a banned official to resume office in defiance of international sanctions.

The Federal Territory Athletics Association (FTAA), which filed the complaint, called the amendment “unconstitutional and self-serving.”

FTAA president V Pulainthiran said MA’s revised Article 13.2.8 breached the Sports Commissioner’s Circular No 2 of 2022.

The circular bars amendments that alter an association’s objectives or favour specific individuals.

“The amendment explicitly allowed Karim Ibrahim to be re-nominated despite being suspended by World Athletics,” FTAA said.

Karim Ibrahim (third from left) and members of the newly elected Malaysia Athletics council after his re-election in June — a comeback now under scrutiny by the Sports Commissioner’s Office.

“This contradicts principles of good governance under both World Athletics and the Sports Commissioner’s Office.”

The complaint was also sent to youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh, who referred the matter to the sports commissioner for further action.

Attached documents show World Athletics reaffirming that Karim’s suspension is permanent.

In an email to FTAA, compliance officer Niels Lindholm confirmed the sanction, imposed after a 2018 CAS ruling, carries no time limit.

CAS had found Karim guilty of misusing athlete allowances during a 2009 training camp and advising athletes to avoid doping tests before the 2011 SEA Games.

The court described his conduct as “unacceptable” and “wholly misleading.”

He is barred from holding any position under World Athletics.

The five-year rule and Karim’s return

Despite the verdict, Karim returned as MA president in June after the association amended its constitution to limit international bans to five years without consulting World Athletics.

The change effectively nullified the CAS ruling at the domestic level.

Experts warn the move risks breaching World Athletics’ Member Federation Rules, which require national bodies to bar ineligible officials.

Under Article 6.11.2, federations must act when an official is declared ineligible by World Athletics’ vetting panel.

Similarly, Article 9.1(f) of the World Athletics Constitution requires member federations to align their constitutions with global standards.

The Sports Commissioner’s Office confirmed it has received the complaint and supporting documents.

It is reviewing whether the amendment was legally passed and whether it undermines governance principles.

If violations are confirmed, the commissioner could nullify the amendment or declare Karim’s presidency invalid.

This is the first formal intervention in a saga that spans doping scandals, court rulings, and now a constitutional rewrite at the top of Malaysian athletics.

More broadly, the case tests how Malaysia balances the autonomy of its sports bodies with the accountability expected by global regulators.

It also raises a key question: will domestic governance uphold international standards, or undercut them?