The global body wants the federation to address two issues: whether its president, Karim Ibrahim, is eligible to remain in office, and how its constitution will be aligned with international rules.

The matter took centre stage at an executive council meeting on Thursday chaired by deputy president Wan Hisham Wan Salleh.

Karim did not attend and his daughter, secretary-general Nurhayati, was also absent.

At the heart of the crisis is a constitutional change made last year.

Malaysia Athletics introduced a five-year limit on suspensions, even though a 2018 ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) did not set any time bar on Karim’s ineligibility.

That amendment cleared the way for Karim to return and win the presidency in June last year.

World Athletics now disputes that position.

Sources said the global body has asked Malaysia Athletics to submit a time-bound roadmap to align its constitution with international standards.

It also wants a formal resolution from the council stating its position on the presidency.

World Athletics made clear that the response must come from the council as a whole, not from any individual.

The dispute turns on a simple but crucial question: what does “ineligible” mean?

World Athletics declared Karim ineligible after a vetting process linked to a CAS ruling. Its rules require member bodies to bar such individuals from holding office.

Malaysia Athletics, however, relies on its own constitutional clause, which allows officials to return after five years.

That gap has now become the centre of a widening governance clash.

Karim’s case dates back more than a decade. In 2009, he received athlete allowance funds during a training camp in Germany but failed to ensure they reached the athletes.

Two years later, he advised athletes to miss scheduled doping tests before the SEA Games.

CAS found his conduct “unacceptable” and “wholly misleading”.

It upheld the decision that he did not meet the integrity standards required for office and ruled him ineligible under World Athletics.

Despite that, Malaysia Athletics moved ahead with its constitutional amendment and subsequent election.

Karim has repeatedly rejected claims that he was banned for life, describing such assertions as false.

Sources said council members now face a difficult choice.

On one hand, Karim won the presidency under the current constitution. Any move to remove him could trigger legal action against the federation.

On the other, World Athletics expects full compliance with its rules. Failure to act could bring consequences.

The council discussed both risks at length, weighing legal exposure at home against international obligations.

Sources also said World Athletics indicated the matter should be handled independently of anyone with close personal ties to the president, pointing to concerns over conflict of interest.

The pressure extends beyond administration.

Several council members warned that the dispute could affect Malaysia’s standing in global athletics if it remains unresolved.

World Athletics rules require member federations to enforce its integrity decisions.

Breaches can lead to sanctions, including suspension from international competitions.

That raises the stakes for athletes, officials and the sport as a whole.

Malaysia Athletics must now decide its next move, and do so quickly.

Wan Hisham declined comment when contacted.

Malaysia Athletics will meet the April 17 deadline set by World Athletics, with a resolution endorsed by its executive council following Thursday’s meeting, a senior official said.

The official said the federation remains committed to good governance and to aligning its constitution with international standards.

He added that full cooperation with World Athletics was essential for both the sport and the country.

The council, he said, hopes the steps taken will address the concerns raised and that Malaysia will avoid any serious sanctions, although the situation remains under close review.

Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani said investigations by his office were ongoing to determine the legitimacy of Karim’s position.