This follows correspondence from international governing body World Athletics that purportedly raises questions over the eligibility of Karim to lead Malaysia Athletics.

Karim said his leave of absence will allow amendments to be made to Malaysia Athletics’ constitution at the AGM, in line with the constitution of World Athletics, Bernama reported.

His deputy, Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, will take on Karim’s duties during his absence.

“I will take a leave of absence from my duties, during which I will not be involved in the day-to-day management and decision-making in Malaysia Athletics.

“I have requested that the deputy president and the council assume full responsibility for the administration and executive functions of the federation to ensure continuity, stability and proper governance,” he said.

Karim said the proposed changes to the body’s constitution must be submitted to World Athletics first before being sent to the Malaysian Sports Commissioner’s Office for its approval.

“This approach is undertaken in good faith and in the best interests of Malaysia Athletics to ensure that governance alignment with World Athletics is completed in a structured, transparent and constitutionally compliant manner,” he said.

Karim has come under intense scrutiny with questions raised over his eligibility as Malaysia Athletics president in light of a suspension imposed on him in 2018 by World Athletics.

The suspension was later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but Karim was still allowed to contest and serve on the Asian Athletics Association’s executive council for the 2019-2023 term.

The Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Perlis athletics associations later wrote to national authorities, stating that officials did not circulate letters sent by World Athletics raising questions over Karim’s eligibility.

They said Malaysia Athletics received the first letter in January but failed to properly table it to the council.