My son Mohd Joshua is in the Penang Equestrian Team and my wife Sarina the TEAM MANAGER,we arrived in MELAKA on 3rd June 2010 as scheduled ahead of the horses and riders arriving on Sunday 6th June 2010 and after reading the Star Report on the Equestrian centre and the statement made by YAB CM,i drove straight to the centre and was shocked to see the situation with tractors and lorries carriying sand still in the arena with only 11 days to go for the actual competition,officials were tight lipped over the matter but obviously the statement by YAB CM got the works going almost immediately,SYABAS YAB CM for being transparent and LEADING BY EXAMPLE,my sincere respect for you and you have certainly earned that respect,YAB CM you are a great leader,thank you for saving the day.
Below report from Star Paper below 3rd june 2010 page 29.....
MALACCA: Preparations for the 13th Malaysia Games (Sukma) that starts next week has hit a snag with the equestrian centre yet to be completed and equipment for the Thai kickboxing exhibition still stuck in Bangkok.
The slip-ups have earned the wrath of Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.
An irate Mohd Ali ticked off officers in charge of preparations when he learnt that some officers had withheld the last payment for the sand with the hope that the equestrian event would be cancelled.
“Sand from Perak for the equestrian centre has yet to be delivered. The officers concerned colluded with officials from the equestrian club to keep this from me.
Incomplete: Lack of sand at the Equestrian Centre in Krubong threatens the cancellation of the event during Sukma on June 10.
“They withheld the last payment for the sand with the hope that the event would eventually be cancelled,” he told reporters here yesterday after presenting vests to photographers covering Sukma.
Mohd Ali said the state had settled the payment of RM520,000 for the sand, which was currently being delivered.
“How can they hide information and hope that the event will be cancelled? It will be an embarrassment for the state as host,” Mohd Ali said.
He also chided those responsible for importing the kickboxing equipment from Bangkok.
“I found out the equipment is still in Bangkok and have directed the state financial officer to settle payment by today.
“If they have to, the officers concerned will have to travel to Bangkok and bring the equipment down by Thursday,” he added.
To avoid further last minute problems over non-payment by the Games officials, Mohd Ali said contractors and suppliers concerned should contact him directly and not go through middlemen.
He also advised officers and sport club officials to visit their respective venues to ensure that they were ready.
It is learnt that disciplinary action would be taken against officers who had deliberately withheld payments and jeopardised the smooth running of the Games.
More than 50,000 athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators are expected to be in Malacca for the games from June 10 to 19.
There will be 33 sports with the main centre being Stadium Hang Jebat and its surrounding area in Krubong.
