by David E.
KUALA LUMPUR: Oct 6, 2026 — Member of Parliament for Keningau, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan, supports the Sports Development Bill 2026 but has stressed that it must be amended progressively and not focus solely on deregistering sports bodies.
He said the Minister’s powers and enforcement investigations appeared aggressive and raised concerns over abuse of power.
“What steps will be taken to curb such concerns?” he said when debating the Bill in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said any power given must be exercised with trust.
Jeffrey also raised the issue of footballers of foreign descent who were granted immediate citizenship, including within 24 hours, and claimed the matter had not been fully resolved or investigated, with only evasive answers. He said the scandal had tarnished Malaysia’s name internationally.
He questioned why foreigners could obtain citizenship immediately while Sabah and Sarawak natives who applied for citizenship had waited years without an answer.
He proposed that sports disputes and disciplinary action be referred to an Independent Appeal Body, as practised in European football, after the Minister exercises his powers.
“The Bill must be progressive, not merely punish sports bodies by arbitrarily cancelling their registration,” he said.
On international sports administration, he asked the Government to align and harmonise the Bill with the requirements of bodies such as the IOC and FIFA, which prohibit political and government interference in the administration of sports bodies.
Jeffrey also highlighted the achievements of Sabah athletes who brought honour to Malaysia on the international stage.
Adeola Fay Robert from Tambunan, in the Keningau parliamentary constituency, won Malaysia’s first gold in karate at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Abdul Halim Mohammad of Tuaran was named Malaysia’s Best Male Athlete at the ASEAN Para Games after winning five individual swimming golds, four of which set championship records. Ican Jovic Suan, also from Tuaran, won several gold medals in sprint events.
Sabah veteran athletes made up 77 per cent of the Malaysian team to the World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea. At the National MSSM Games, Sabah’s student team emerged champion with 25 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals.
He urged the Ministry to pay attention to Sabah athletic talent and to nurture and sponsor them with adequate funding; add and upgrade sports facilities and equipment so they can train properly; and train and improve coaches at all levels from school to the highest level.
Jeffrey also expressed sadness over the plight of athletes and sportspeople who brought honour to Malaysia at the peak of their careers but faced financial difficulties after retirement.
“The Ministry and Government must plan and implement programmes to help retired athletes and sportspeople. Do not merely borrow them when they are at their peak and young, then abandon them to suffer in old age and retirement,” he said.
He added that Keningau supports the Bill.
— TV Sabah
