The case for proper policies, guidelines and rules.

If what TS Sabbarrudin said of MCF is true, then even Presidents can be deposed after bringing in vast sums of money. Ref: Here.

If I have read my own personal experience with Greg correctly, then even the immense power accorded to the Secretary can be broken by threats, intimidation or the lure of big money. Ref: Here.

So who truly determines the course of Malaysian chess?

I submit that there is a small group of people who act in concert to prevent any progress. I submit that is why Jimmy, acting as the front man for these people, attacks any real form of training for our juniors. They are ok if a GM is brought in to teach total beginners but not otherwise. And also, so long as the money is made by one of their co-conspirators. That is a waste of resource we cannot afford.

I also submit that there is big money to be made from the big tournaments. Some obviously as in the case of entrance fees and from the sponsors. I also suspect there may be some from a side business of fixing matches. The only way to confirm or deny this will be to do an audit. And for that only Fide, the sponsors or MCF will have the authority to investigate. Even COS may be handicapped because of a lack of detailed knowledge of the technical intricacies involved.

Acting in concert, these people can openly conduct a fraudulent selection and then give you the finger because they cannot be touched. So you see, your level of chess makes no difference. It's all sewn up. You can only get in if you play ball with them. These are their methods. Here. This is the only way in. Here. And there is only so much butt space.

I submit we would be seeing a much stronger team at the Olympiad now if we have proper selection at all levels. And this they will not allow. If this were to happen, they will lose power. They cannot play God and only put in who they like. This can also stop all their side incomes because with proper selection players will be a lot more motivated to point out the incidences of match fixing etc.

So just a new President is not enough. We need to also curb the power of the Secretary. We also need to put in good policies, guidelines and rules. Without that no decent sponsor who care about their reputation will stay in for long. I was informed that even the Raja Muda of Perak declined the post when approached recently.

We need to think very deeply about this if we really love chess and not the illicit power to play God. That is the real opposition isn't it. So don't change just the President, change the team. Put in good people who can design policies and guidelines. Put in people who can enforce rules.

Otherwise this coming AGM will be just about rearranging the dust.