KUALA LUMPUR – Perak FC head coach Datuk Lim Teong Kim has cleared the air on his recent unfriendly encounter with the media during their crushing 5-0 defeat to Super League giants Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (JDT).
The Bos Gaurus gaffer stated that the atmosphere at the Perak Stadium after JDT’s win was at a fever pitch, leaving him unable to hear the question from the reporter.
“I did not hear the question the reporter had asked me, so I said that I could not understand.
“That is when the person behind the camera with the earphone instructed the reporter to get closer. Only then could I hear the question.
“I had no intention to insult or belittle anyone, I am not that kind of person.
“But if I had insulted anyone, I can only say that I am very sorry, that’s all,” he said after their 1-0 defeat against Kuala Lumpur City FC last night.
The former Bayern Munich junior squad coach was recently under the spotlight for having rudely answered two simple questions from a reporter after Perak’s five-goal defeat to JDT on April 4.
When asked what the team was lacking following the defeat, Teong Kim reacted in a less than friendly way towards the reporter and told him to make his own assessment and answer his own question.
This sparked a reaction from the Malaysian Sports Writers Association (SAM), which said Teong Kim’s actions were disappointing and that media members are merely doing their jobs.
SAM president Norismadi Abd Manap said the media’s role is to convey information and should not be used as a target for a coach to vent their anger.
Meanwhile, Perak FC chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi apologised for the head coach’s actions, noting that passions run high during high-intensity matches.
“We are all very disappointed with the way he handled the press, and we view this incident with grave concern.
“We would like to assure members of the media that the club is fully supportive of the role of the media and understands the disappointment they are going through,” he said in a statement.
He added that an internal enquiry has been launched and any disciplinary or progressive actions will be handled internally in due course if needed. – The Vibes, April 11, 2023
