KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail has expressed disappointment after losing the race for the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) presidency, calling the election process a betrayal.
“This is a betrayal because the voting process lacked transparency, and certain groups orchestrated changes to suit their own agendas,” Shapawi said in an interview with Scoop.
“Still, InsyaAllah, I will help anyone who needs my assistance, whether in badminton or athletics.”
Shapawi, a former National Sports Council (NSC) director-general, lost to the incumbent PCM president, Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, in a closely contested 14-10 vote.
Traditionally conducted by a show of hands, Shapawi said the PCM executive committee implemented a secret ballot system for this election, a move he claimed compromised fairness and transparency.
He revealed feeling betrayed because 16 individuals had initially pledged their support for him and his team.
However, after the AGM decided to switch to a secret ballot, his support dropped to just 10 votes, indicating that six individuals had defected from their earlier commitments.
“What happened during the AGM was that voting was usually done by a show of hands. This time, the PCM executive committee suggested a secret ballot, and it raises questions about the process,” he said.
He added, “I accept this as part of the competition, and as a sportsman, the spirit of sportsmanship remains strong in me. What’s important is that the competition is conducted cleanly.”
Shapawi also claimed that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and the Malaysian Canoe Association (MASCA), which nominated him for the presidency, felt similarly betrayed by the election outcome.
“Not just them, the rest of my team felt the same. I just hope those elected will not repeat such actions with their own para-sports associations,” he said.
“Hopefully, they start working now for the betterment of the Paralympic movement in this country.”
The election was also preceded by controversy, with Megat alleging that Shapawi engaged in corrupt practices to secure his candidacy.
Shapawi dismissed the claims as baseless, stating he was prepared to fully cooperate with any investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“So far, I have not been called to provide any statements. If they still have a case against me, I will simply wait,” he said.
Shapawi also addressed his decision to run for PCM president despite having retired from public service.
He revealed that his return to sports administration was prompted by encouragement from PCM affiliates, coaches, and athletes who sought a leadership change.
“I suffered a stroke, and I only tried to make a comeback because some of the PCM affiliates encouraged me to do so,” he explained. “After speaking with my family and assessing my health, I felt capable, which is why I offered myself for the role.”
Despite his defeat, Shapawi reiterated his commitment to Malaysian sports.
“I won’t take any action against the election process and its outcome because I do this sincerely,” he said.
The last PCM presidential election was in 2019 when Megat assumed the post unopposed.
Shapawi had hoped to introduce a more collaborative leadership style to PCM, but the result leaves Megat at the helm for another term from 2025 to 2028. — December 14, 2024