NSC said the police investigation ended with the case being classified as “no further action” (NFA) because of lack of evidence, and an investigation conducted by the council’s misconduct committee was unable to find proof to support the allegations.

“The NSC committee interviewed 11 witnesses and examined details outlined in related documents before reaching this decision,” it said in a Berita Harian report.

“The council is committed to always providing a safe environment for all parties involved in our training programmes, and we have never compromised on (taking action against) any behaviour that harms the nation’s athletes.”

NSC said it was important to ensure that athletes and coaches were safeguarded against unfounded allegations which could affect their preparations for major tournaments.

On Monday, the council said it had decided to reinstate the coach, who is tasked with training national para swimmers for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Among those who have criticised the move is Safe Sport Malaysia (SSM), which called on NSC to release the findings of its investigation.

In a report in the New Straits Times, the NGO’s president, Sarina Sundara Rajah, said that releasing the findings of the probe would be a “highly constructive step” towards promoting accountability and transparency.

The allegations surfaced in February when the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) confirmed that a coach had been investigated for sexually harassing an athlete who is a minor.

PCM president Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin said the governing body had lodged a report at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters after receiving an email regarding the matter from the Malaysian Para Swimming Association.