23-06-2025
Experts urge stronger laws to protect Malaysian athletes as Safe Sport Code falls short
A dedicated Safe Sport Act, similar to laws enacted in US is urgently needed to address systemic failures and provide athletes with the protection they deserved.
Photo for illustration purposes only.
SHAH ALAM - Malaysia's Safe Sport Code, implemented two years ago, has proven inadequate in safeguarding athletes, as it lacks enforcement and legal safeguards to protect those who report abuse.
Former national gymnast and Safe Sport Malaysia founder Sarina Sundarah Rajah said a dedicated Safe Sport Act, similar to laws enacted in the United States (US) was urgently needed to address systemic failures and provide athletes with the protection they deserved.
"I've been advocating for the Safe Sport Act since 2015. Although Malaysia implemented it two years ago, it's still not enough because it's just a diagram and it doesn't come with legal enforcement," she said during the "Breaking the Silence: Exploring the Impact of Sexual Harassment in Sports and Beyond" forum.
Sarina, who has spent over 30 years in the gymnastics industry, shared her extensive experience handling abuse cases. She stressed on the limitations of the current code, calling for an independent body to oversee safeguarding measures and enforce mandatory reporting.
She added that numerous cases of abuse reported by survivors were often ignored, dismissed or mishandled by the very institutions meant to protect them.
"Having a Safe Sport Act means to protect athletes, establish an independent commission, mandate safeguarding education, enforce mandatory reporting and ensure physical protection," she said. Photo for illustration purposes only.
Drawing comparisons to the US, Sarina noted the impact of the Safe Sport Act introduced in 2018 following the USA Gymnastics abuse scandal.
"The US legislation not only addressed systemic failures but also led to the Athlete Protection Law in 2020, which built upon the Safe Sport Act to ensure stricter enforcement and accountability," she said.
Meanwhile, National U19 Women's Football player Lauren Hoh Ruyi echoed Sarina's concerns, sharing her experiences of fear and silence within the sporting community.
"Growing up in the Malaysian sports scene, I've seen that silence isn't always neutral. Speaking up often comes at a cost and fear keeps many athletes, especially women, silent.
"Over the past couple of years, I've seen cases where my friends and I would discuss our frustrations, but whenever I brought up the issue to a coach or staff member, they would often say they didn't want to risk anything, risk a spot on the team and that it wouldn't be worth it.
"I think that those kind of moments really stuck with me because it made me realise what kind of culture we are embracing and where self-preservation comes at a cost of not speaking your mind and the fear that holds you back," she said.
Therefore, she urged the need for open communication channels for athletes to voice their concerns without fear.
"I think it's really important to start creating channels where young athletes can speak freely, have the right tools and guidance and most importantly, someone to talk to about these sorts of things," she said.
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