PABM may face serious repercussions from WADA for suspending dope cheat - KJ

The decision by the Malaysia Weightlifting Association (PABM) to suspend a weightlifter for two years after failing a dope test could face serious repercussions from the World Weightlifting Federation and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said based on the WADA code, every athlete found positive for a doping offence must face a mandatory four-year ban.

Khairy said as the world governing body that is responsible for monitoring doping offences, the punishment set by WADA is a policy matter that need to be adhered by all affiliates.

"The PABM should have followed the standard procedures and punishment set by WADA and suspend the weightlifter for four years instead of two years," he said after witnessing the signing of an agreement between the Youth and Sports Minister and Dorsett Hospitality International (M) Sdn Bhd, here today.

Khairy said the PABM must have a very strong case to argue the basis for handing out the two-year ban.

Khairy said he was made to understand that the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia (ADAMAS) which carried out the dope test had already sent the details of the test to the World Weightlifting Federation to state that PABM did not have any basis to reduce the suspension from four years to two years.