Koh breaks silence on no contest for Sabah Tennis Association presidency
Johnson Koh
KOTA KINABALU (June 16): After 17 years of dedicated and uninterrupted service as president of the Sabah Tennis Association (STA), Johnson Koh Yong Siang decided it was time to finally call it a day.
And he did it his own way.
Initially, Koh has stated openly that he wished to serve as president one final time as he was committed to completing two key initiatives before handing over the reigns.
He even went as far as having discussions, including one day prior to the association's annual general meeting (AGM), with a potential successor regarding a smooth transition.
'As printed in the newspapers, I made my intention clear to serve one final term, but with a pledge to step down by the end of this year (2025),' said Koh, a stalwart of Sabah tennis since taking the helm in 2008.
However, he was unexpectedly challenged for the presidency during the nomination process at the AGM on May 8.
'That person ignored my pledge and decided to contest the post.
'As a person of integrity, sincere in intentions and purpose, I withdrew my name from the contest.
'I told the AGM, 'You can have it,'' said Koh as he explained what has transpired on election day.
'That's the real reason why there is no contest for the STA president's post,' he added.
Dr Terrence Soong is the new president of STA.
Having said that, Koh revealed he had carried out his responsibilities to the best of his ability for the betterment of Sabah tennis during his tenure.
Koh left behind a strong financial foundation, with over RM111,000 in the association's reserves and a legacy marked by milestones in sports development and organisational growth.
It was a stark contrast to when he first assumed STA leadership in 2008, where the state body had only RM2,000 in its coffers.
He recalled approaching then-permanent secretary of the Youth and Sports Ministry, (Datuk) Michael Emban, for assistance.
Thanks to renewed confidence in the association's direction, STA received crucial support that paved the way for its revival.
Under his leadership and team of committed officials, the Sabah Invitational Team Tennis Tournament was launched, helping to reinvigorate not only the sport but also tourism in the state.
During this period too, Sabah tennis encountered three friendly sporting Chief Ministers, namely the current Sabah Head of State Tun Musa Aman, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
'We also managed to get one of the Prime Ministers' wife to associate with the (invitational team) tournament,' he said.
STA's efforts during Koh's tenure also led to Sabah being selected as a host for the Asia Tennis Federation's (ATF) Under-14 tournament, a first for the state.
Koh also spearheaded a seven-year campaign to roof the tennis courts at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex in Likas, which eventually led to not just the tennis courts, but also nearby sepak takraw, volleyball and basketball courts being covered, an achievement he attributes to the consistent backing of supportive state governments.
Beyond Kota Kinabalu, Koh's influence extended to Sandakan.
In the 1980s, alongside Datuk Ian Chin Hong Chong, he played a key role in securing land and developing tennis infrastructure there.
Today, Sandakan remains the only district tennis association in Malaysia to own its own tennis courts and clubhouse.
A notable achievement came in 2023 when tennis was officially declared a core sport in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) by the federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, culminating years of advocacy by Koh, including personal meetings with three former federal sports ministers.
'Tennis, like all sports, must remain apolitical,' Koh emphasised. 'It must support the government of the day to ensure consistent facilities, funding, and moral support.'
Meanwhile, Koh, in his farewell message, extended deep gratitude to a wide array of supporters.
'A big thank you to the media, authorities, ministries, volunteers, contributors, players, parents and all those who stood by the association throughout these 17 years,' he said.
He also offered sincere apologies to anyone who may have been unintentionally offended or overlooked during his tenure.
Towards this end and as STA transitions to new leadership, Koh leaves behind a revitalised organisation, a proud legacy and a heartfelt message of unity and purpose.
'I have given my all to Sabah tennis. Now, it's time for the next chapter,' Koh concluded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
KPT raises RM1.7m for UPSI bus tragedy victims' aid
TANJONG MALIM: The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) has raised RM1.7 million through the Prihatin Fund to support the victims and families affected by the Gerik bus tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the funds collected were contributions from 40 public and private higher learning institutions which included polytechnics and community colleges, as well as contributions from various other sources such as state government agencies, financial institutions and corporate bodies. He said the special fund, managed by UPSI, will be distributed to recipients in stages and that so far, RM371,000 from the total RM1.7 million has already been disbursed to affected students and their families. 'The RM1.7 million will be given to the families of the victims, and I leave it to the secretariat led by the UPSI Vice-Chancellor (Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff) to manage the fund. 'The higher learning institutions have mobilised their students, staff, and others to contribute,' he told reporters after the Tahlil Perdana ceremony for the bus tragedy victims at Dewan Tuanku Canselor UPSI here on Monday (June 16) night. Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, and Perak Education, Higher Education, Youth, and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah. Zambry also donate a month's salary of his ministership to the fund, demonstrating solidarity with the compassion shown by Malaysians. Meanwhile, Md Amin said the KPT Prihatin Fund, is expected to close this Friday. 'Once we conclude the donation drive, the remaining funds will be given directly to the families. Thank you to everyone for your support. We aim to finalise this process within the week,' he said. UPSI's Corporate Communications Division said the Tahlil ceremony attracted some 5,000 students, staff members and residents. At the event, Zambry also received mock cheques from contributing parties, including participating universities and corporations such as Syarikat Takaful Malaysia, Malaysian Takaful Association, Lumut Port, Etiqa Takaful, Hong Leong Takaful, and several banking institutions. In the June 9 incident, 15 UPSI students were killed when a chartered bus ferrying them from Jertih, Terengganu, to their main campus in Tanjong Malim, Perak, was involved in an accident with a Perodua Alza MPV along the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik. The crash also injured 33 others, including the bus driver and assistant, as well as the driver and three passengers of the MPV.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Gerik bus tragedy: RM1.7m raised through KPT Prihatin Fund
TANJONG MALIM: The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) has raised RM1.7 million through the Prihatin Fund to support the victims and families affected by the Gerik bus tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the funds collected were contributions from 40 public and private higher learning institutions which included polytechnics and community colleges, as well as contributions from various other sources such as state government agencies, financial institutions and corporate bodies. He said the special fund, managed by UPSI, will be distributed to recipients in stages and that so far, RM371,000 from the total RM1.7 million has already been disbursed to affected students and their families. 'The RM1.7 million will be given to the families of the victims, and I leave it to the secretariat led by the UPSI Vice-Chancellor (Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff) to manage the fund. 'The higher learning institutions have mobilised their students, staff, and others to contribute,' he told reporters after the Tahlil Perdana ceremony for the bus tragedy victims at Dewan Tuanku Canselor UPSI here on Monday (June 16) night. Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, and Perak Education, Higher Education, Youth, and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah. Zambry also donate a month's salary of his ministership to the fund, demonstrating solidarity with the compassion shown by Malaysians. Meanwhile, Md Amin said the KPT Prihatin Fund, is expected to close this Friday. 'Once we conclude the donation drive, the remaining funds will be given directly to the families. Thank you to everyone for your support. We aim to finalise this process within the week,' he said. UPSI's Corporate Communications Division said the Tahlil ceremony attracted some 5,000 students, staff members and residents. At the event, Zambry also received mock cheques from contributing parties, including participating universities and corporations such as Syarikat Takaful Malaysia, Malaysian Takaful Association, Lumut Port, Etiqa Takaful, Hong Leong Takaful, and several banking institutions. In the June 9 incident, 15 UPSI students were killed when a chartered bus ferrying them from Jertih, Terengganu, to their main campus in Tanjong Malim, Perak, was involved in an accident with a Perodua Alza MPV along the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik. The crash also injured 33 others, including the bus driver and assistant, as well as the driver and three passengers of the MPV.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Five held over RM26mil theft
Group has been syphoning money meant for Syrian aid for 10 years KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested five senior officials of an NGO on suspicion of having embezzled RM26mil in public donations. Sources said the suspects included its chairman, secretary, treasurer and financial officer. 'Money was transferred to their personal accounts and used to purchase jewellery, cars, land, houses and even cryptocurrency. 'They are also believed to have diverted organisational funds into personal accounts to provide loans to staff members and siphoned off surplus funds from a humanitarian well-building project in Syria for personal use,' a source told Bernama. The source said the misappropriation of public donations was believed to have been going on since 2015. The five were detained under Op Serantau conducted by the Selangor MACC across several locations in Selangor, Melaka and Penang from last Thursday. The suspects have been remanded for seven days, four of them until tomorrow and the other until Thursday. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests and disclosed that assets worth over RM8mil had been seized or frozen. The seized items included jewellery valued at approximately RM100,000, over RM1mil in cash, cryptocurrency accounts worth about RM650,000 and four houses estimated at more than RM1.4mil. 'MACC has also frozen 14 bank accounts totalling nearly RM5mil for further investigation,' he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust. In another case, the MACC will conduct another statement recording session with an individual holding the title of Tan Sri regarding the alleged embezzlement of sukuk funds. The statement will be recorded on Thursday morning at the Tan Sri's residence in Sungai Besi. Previously, the MACC seized various assets, including handbags, jewellery, luxury vehicles, watches, cash, and a luxury residence. These assets, estimated at approximately RM32mil, are believed to belong to a highway concessionaire with the Tan Sri title.
