Shahidan withdraws from contest for MAU top post, supports Karim instead

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KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Athletics Union (MAU) president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has decided to withdraw from the contest for the MAU President and offer his support for his former deputy Datuk Karim Ibrahim.

Shahidan who is now a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Arau MP said he made the decision to withdraw due to his workload, both as a minister and MP.

Having led the MAU from 2006 to 2012, Shahidan who is currently the Perlis Amateur Athletics Association advisor said he would fully offer his support for Karim because he would be the best candidate to shoulder the responsibility of transforming the MAU and athletics in the country.

“God-willing, Perlis and a number of other affiliates will give our full support for Karim and I believe he will win the contest,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Meanwhile, Karim who was also present during the press conference said he was delighted and grateful for the support offered by Shahidan and the Perlis AAA.

“He (Shahidan) was the best individual to have led the MAU because the athletes and coaches felt at ease to work with him. I hope the affiliates would choose the right candidate for the future of MAU and the development of athletics in the country,” said Karim, who is the President of the Perak Amateur Athletic Association.

Shahidan’s withdrawal from the contest will see a straight fight for the president’s post between Karim and current MAU deputy president Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh since incumbent president Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad who took over from Shahidan in 2012, would not be defending his post.

The MAU annual general meeting (AGM) will see elections for the post of office bearers for the 2014-2016 term.

The election of office bearers will be decided by 42 delegates from 14 MAU affiliates. — Bernama