Amendments to the Sports Development Act 1997 have been proposed to strengthen enforcement, investigation and oversight of sports bodies in Malaysia.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari tabled the Sports Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today. It is expected to be tabled for second reading during the current sitting.
Among the proposed changes is a new provision allowing the minister to make regulations on compliance with international obligations relating to anti-doping and safe sport.
The Bill also proposes new requirements for sports bodies to obtain prior approval from the commissioner before changing their name, place of business, registered or correspondence address or amending their constitution or rules.
Failure to comply with the proposed requirement would constitute an offence.
The amendments would also provide for the management and disposal of the assets and liabilities of sports bodies whose registration has been revoked, with the aim of protecting creditors and other stakeholders.
The minister would additionally be empowered to declare a sports body unlawful if it is used for purposes prejudicial to or incompatible with Malaysia’s security interests, public order or morality.
