MALACCA: The Malacca government wants the organisers of the failed Melaka Century Ride to be brought to book for tarnishing the state's name and for failing to be answerable over the estimated RM390,000 collected from participants.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron even urged participants to lodge police reports and assured them that the state government would stand as witnesses against the organisers.
Having collected registration fees of RM130 each through online registrations from over 3,000 participants, organisers MySkill Media Sdn Bhd on Tuesday had abruptly announced the cancellation of the event, which was scheduled for this Sunday.
In distancing the state government from the organisers, Idris was blunt in his criticism of event director Azmar Ab Hamid.
“I don't know who this guy is, but I think he is not a good man. He is not a responsible man. If he is a responsible man, he could have carried out the event even without sponsors," said Idris today.
A company search with the Companies Commission of Malaysia revealed MySkill Media as an inactive company, having last submitted its financial report in 2010.
“The Melaka Century Ride has nothing to do with the state government. They've done it twice before and they associated their activities with the state government,” said Idris.
Social media was flush with public outcry over the matter. Participants were not just aghast over the organisers' statement that there would be no refunds, but also because the vast majority had already made payments for travel and lodging in Malacca for the event.
“We have nothing to do with them. They came to us for the sake of asking to use the state's name. I was made to understand that they failed to get some sponsors and now they are blaming the government for their inability to organise the programme,” said Idris.
“I've asked the related parties to lodge a police report. I believe that some action must be taken, as many parties are unhappy with the organiser.
“Upon reports, I believe the police will take the necessary action. As for the state, we are willing to be witnesses, in that we don't have anything to do with the event.
“For the past two years they did well and we appreciated it. But this year it didn't work out and we have nothing to do with it."