Editor’s note: The Malaysian contingent recorded their worst-ever achievement in the history of the SEA Games by finishing 7th and failing to meet the 40-gold target (final tally: 34 gold, 45 silver and 97 bronze).
LET’S address the elephant in the room – our performance at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia was far from our finest hour. The whirlwind of politics has been used as an excuse for this less-than-stellar outcome by our Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
Granted, the political landscape has been as unpredictable as Kuala Lumpur’s weather in recent years with a revolving door of prime ministers (PM).
However, to attribute our SEA Games’ poor showing to politics is as absurd as blaming your cat for your missing homework.
It’s true when administrations change, resources might be shuffled around but let’s not kid ourselves: our sports funding isn’t a political pawn.
The coaching staff isn’t playing musical chairs with every new government, and athletes aren’t scaling back their training due to political instability. Regardless of the rough political climate, they must remain dedicated and focused.
Therefore, it begs the question: shouldn’t the person at the helm of sports in our country take responsibility? If blame is to be placed, perhaps Hannah should reflect on her own actions before pointing the finger at others.
Her approach smacks of the classic “deflect and distract” strategy where predecessors are targets for criticism, current issues are amplified and the past is exploited for her blame-laying tactics.
It’s time to shake things up: wouldn’t it be more constructive for Hannah to channel her energy into problem-solving rather than blame-shifting? Shouldn’t she prioritise rectifying issues over finding scapegoats?
Moreover, let’s not exclude PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from this heated discourse. During his leadership, our nation experienced its worst SEA Games result in history. Quite a legacy, isn’t it?
Perhaps it’s time for some tough love for Hannah: If she can’t fulfill her obligations, maybe it’s time for her to pass the baton to a more capable leader. The riddle for PM is: how long can he shield ministers who are falling short?
Remember, our athletes are the real victims in this saga. They tirelessly strive for excellence, against all odds. We commend their determination and persistence. They don’t deserve to be entangled in this bureaucratic circus.
Our administrators need to eschew excuses and be accountable to the people they serve. Our athletes require steadfast leadership and relentless support, not political distractions.
Ultimately, the truth is the main course, irrespective of how much bureaucratic terminology is tossed around. The question is, is Hannah Yeoh ready to face the heat? – March 22, 2023
Mahathir Mohd Rais is Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Federal Territories’ information chief.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
