KUALA LUMPUR — Datuk Karim Ibrahim has returned as president of Malaysia Athletics (MA) for the 2025–2029 term after securing victory in the national body’s election at its annual general meeting (AGM) today.
Karim, who previously held the post from 2014 to 2019, received 25 votes to defeat Negeri Sembilan Athletics Association president Datuk Mark William Ling, who obtained 14 votes.
“I am grateful for the trust to once again lead Malaysia Athletics for the 2025 to 2029 term.
“I also sincerely hope all negative remarks made during the campaign can be put aside, and that we unite for the future of athletics,” he said when met after the election at Wisma OCM.
Earlier, outgoing president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim made a surprise announcement by withdrawing from the race shortly before voting began.
Meanwhile, the deputy president’s post went to Terengganu Amateur Athletics Association president Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, who garnered 22 votes, defeating Mohamat Hassan (9 votes) and Sallehuddin Satar (5 votes).
Three candidates were elected as vice-presidents: Prof Dr Mohamed Rusli Abdullah (29 votes), Datuk R. Annamalai (24 votes), and Padmanathan Nagappan (22 votes), edging out four other contenders.
The women’s vice-president seat was won uncontested by Josephine Kang, who stood as the sole female candidate. — June 15, 2025