KUALA LUMPUR – Newly-appointed Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh affirms that the Safe Sport Act will be the new administration’s top priority.
Yeoh, who was instrumental in the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill’s enactment, believes that the ministry must focus on ensuring the sporting arena is a safe space for fellow athletes.
“I want to first listen to what the ministry’s top management has found regarding the matter.
“Based on that, I will ensure that the Safe Sport Act is a priority for the ministry,” Yeoh said today at a press conference after clocking in for her first day of work as youth and sports minister.
Recently, Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan revealed that the data recorded on abuse and harassment involving our national athletes is “scary”.
Yeoh said giving our national athletes a safe space was one of many agendas that she wants the ministry to focus on.
“In the first week, I will be briefed by the ministry’s higher management, after which I want to meet with our athletes to hear their hopes for the new term.
“I want to ensure that sports become a safe space and are accessible for all. I also want to guarantee our athletes’ welfare and security,” said the Segambut MP.
When asked if she intends to introduce new programmes, Yeoh said she does not plan to bring in new blueprints and will work on improving existing ones as introducing a new structure would affect athletes’ current training flow.
“I want to look at the current programmes and find ways to improve them. Doing this may incur less spending, and sometimes more.
“This is why I want to meet the athletes, who are the main stakeholders. Everyone wants enough allocation, so it will be challenging because we know financial resources are always an issue,” said the 43-year-old.
Yeoh noted that youth-related issues also involve 17 other ministries in the country.
“I will engage with other ministries as well so that we are all not working in silos and ensure that there is proper continuity between each department. My main focus for the youth is restoration and rehabilitation.”
Yeoh is only the second woman to lead the ministry since Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who held the portfolio from 2004 to 2008.
Safe Sport Malaysia founding president Sarina Sundara Rajah said she has faith in the new minister following her prior vocal support in pushing for the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill’s enactment. – The Vibes, December 6, 2022.
