Youth and sports minister Dr Taufiq Johari said the deregistration of sports bodies could be challenged in court and organisations would also be given a chance to explain why they should not be axed. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and sports minister Dr Taufiq Johari has sought to allay concerns over the power bestowed upon a minister to deregister a sports body under the Sports Development (Amendment) Bill 2026.

Taufiq said there were sufficient safeguards in place to prevent the unilateral exercise of this authority, including the requirement to obtain the sports commissioner's advice, which he said would involve a lengthy process.

Under the amendment bill, sports bodies used for purposes harmful to national security, public order or morality could be declared unlawful by the minister and struck off immediately.