PSHA: We're guilty and we voted

29/08/2002

THE Penang State Hockey Association (PSHA), yesterday after admitting they
had voted in the 1999 Malaysian Hockey Federation elections as a
defaulter, plan to seek a declaration to make the elections null and void.
"Apart from not paying the affiliation fees, we had voted in the last
elections, and partook in the decision-making of the MHF in the last two
council meetings," said its vice-president S. Sanjilatheeban yesterday.
"Yes, I admit we were also at fault as we did not pay up the fees in
time.
"We will pay up the RM900 very shortly but this will certainly be done
with a heavy heart as we are not too pleased with what is going on within
the MHF.
"We are also contemplating seeking a declaration that the elections be
rendered unconstitutional," he added.
All these will be discussed during the PSHA council meeting to be
convened soon before they commence the next course of action.
"We will certainly press for it but that will depend on the outcome and
opinions sought from our fellow council members before we resort to
anything.
"It will throw the entire federation in disarray but we will not back
off if it is for the good of hockey.
"If there's got to be a revamp, then let it be so," he said.
Sanjilatheeban confirmed receiving the letter dated Aug 22 from the MHF
on Monday but felt that the directives in urging the 15 affiliates to pay
up their dues before the biennial general meeting (BGM) on Oct 26, was a
ploy to show the hockey fraternity that the national body was trying to
put their house in order.
"They did all sorts of wrongs over the years and now they suddenly want
to show off that they are in the process of putting things in order, an
act which the PSHA is not willing to buy.
"We believe they are trying to buy confidence so that the can be voted
into office again," he alleged.
The two representatives who voted on behalf of the PSHA in 1999 were the
then vice-president K. Kalivandan and secretary Ranjit Singh.
Apart from Penang, who have been in default for the past six years, the
second highest is Kelantan (RM700).
The other defaulters are Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Malacca, Pahang, Perak,
Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, Terengganu, Armed Forces, Negri Sembilan
and Selangor.
Asked why they had not been paying the affiliation fees,
Sanjilatheeban's reply was that they were not told to do so by the MHF.
"Normally, the MHF will write to the affiliates to remind them of the
fees which are due for payment. Since there were no letters from them, we
just drifted along.
"But then, isn't it quite shocking that apart from the PSHA, the other
affiliates also have not been paying their fees. We wonder what those who
were elected into office were doing all these years," he said.
Sanjilatheeban added that by not paying their fees, all the affiliates,
including the PSHA, would and should be a party liable to the possible
subsequent consequences faced by the MHF.
The MHF, in a move to clean up their house, did not specifically state
that action would be taken against the affiliates, but then it was clearly
pointed out to all and sundry that, among others, under Rule 19 (1), the
Executive Committee may expell a defaulter for not paying their dues.
Meanwhile, TimeSport tried contacting MHF legal advisor Roy Rajasingam
yesterday for clarification, but he said he was too busy.
"I just returned from London yesterday (Tuesday) and have not read the
papers yet because my workload has reached my eye-balls. And since I am
solidly booked for meetings today, you can try calling me tomorrow
(today)," said Rajasingam.
(END)