Win Again!!

Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar (left) congratulating Datuk Dr. M. Jegathesan who retained his post as deputy president at the OCM elections yesterday. — Pic: MOHD YUSNI ARIFFIN

IF Datuk Seri Ibrahim Saad thought he could give Datuk Dr. M. Jegathesan -- who was once the fastest man in Asia -- a run for his money, he was wrong.

Dr Jegathesan, a former Asian Games 100m gold medallist, retained his deputy president's post with an almost two-third majority in the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) elections yesterday.

Jegathesan, who has never been challenged since succeeding the late Tan Sri Khir Johari as deputy president, described the two days prior to the elections as his toughest since joining OCM.

The "Flying Doc" garnered 65 out of 98 votes while Ibrahim could only muster 33 votes despite being seen as a strong challenger.

Ibrahim, who had said he wanted to see some positive changes in OCM, did not seek re-election for vice-president, a post he held in the just ended two-year term.
"It has been a tough couple of days for me. This is the first time I have been challenged since 2002 and I an flattered by the enormous support and trust given by the affiliates," said Jegathesan.

"I have no intention at any time to withdraw from competition as I never want to be seen running away from my responsibility. I will continue to work hard to raise the quality of sports in the country."

In the vice-presidents' tussle, SRA of Malaysia (SRAM) president Datuk A. Sani Karim returned to the OCM with a landslide victory, amassing 95 out of 98 votes.

Sani was out of the OCM from 2005 to 2007 after his business partner was diagnosed with lung cancer. Joining him as vice-president are incumbents Professor Datuk Dr W.Y. Chin (89 votes), Professor Datuk Zakaria Ahmad (79), Datuk Roy Rajasingham (70) and Low Beng Choo who was elected unopposed as the women's vice-president. Former OCM administrator M.P. Haridas missed the boat after securing 59 votes.

Incumbent assistant secretary Ramlay Ibrahim retained his seat with 51 votes, after sweeping aside the challenge of Mohd Hisham Mohd Nor (23), L. Ramesh (18) and Lawrence Yeow (3).

Incumbent assistant secretary (woman) Moira Tan successfully defended her seat by securing 52 votes against Latifah Ya'cob's 46.

Secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi was returned unopposed and so were incumbents Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee as the treasurer and Rosmanizam Abdullah as the assistant treasurer.

OCM 2009-2011 Office-Bearers:

- President: Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar.

- Deputy President: Datuk Dr. M. Jegathesan.

- Vice-Presidents: Datuk A. Sani Karim, Professor Datuk Dr W.Y. Chin, Professor Datuk Zakaria Ahmad, Datuk Roy Rajasingham, Low Beng Choo.

- Secretary: Datuk Sieh Kok Chi.

- Assistant Secretaries: Ramlay Ibrahim, Moira Tan.

- Treasurer: Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee.

- Assistant Treasurer: Rosmanizam Abdullah.