Urgent meeting over Jho Low-linked COO


The decision to hire Su Ling out of 59 applicants was made by a three-man panel headed by OCM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, deputy president Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi and secretary general Dato Nazifuddin Najib.

(NST) – FOLLOWING the controversial appointment of their Chief Operating Officer (COO), who was linked to controversial financier Jho Low, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will convene a special meeting today to discuss the issue.

Three days ago, an OCM Executive Board meeting endorsed the appointment of Ung Su Ling as COO. However, no formal announcement of her appointment was made at the post-meeting press conference.

The decision to hire Su Ling out of 59 applicants was made by a three-man panel headed by OCM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, deputy president Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi and secretary general Dato Nazifuddin Najib.

Nazifuddin, when contacted, declined to say anything on the eyebrow-raising appointment of Su Ling, who was once linked to fugitive businessman Jho Low.

Su Ling formerly headed Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia (YR1M), which is reported to be the charity arm of the scandal ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

“The (OCM) president has directed for a special board meeting to be held to discuss this matter after the media attention,” said Nazifuddin yesterday.

“The board is expected to discuss the matter and come up with a decision on it.

“I have nothing else to add.”

From the look of things, the OCM board has only two options: continue with Su Ling’s appointment and provide an acceptable explanation or rescind her appointment.

It is also learnt that a former official of a national sports association was also instrumental in lobbying for a certain candidate in the selection process for the COO in OCM.

There is extreme sensitivity on this appointment as the OCM and Sports Ministry have been having somewhat of a strained relationship since the change of government last May.

However, it is unlikely there is pressure on OCM to reconsider their decision on the COO, and today ’s meeting will be able to shed more light on why and how the decision was taken.



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