KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh reminded Dewan Rakyat today that the change of ministers in her ministry was a contributing factor to the country’s poor performance in the recent SEA Games in Cambodia.
She pointed out that since the Sheraton Move in 2020 which saw the fall of the Pakatan Harapan administration, Malaysia has seen three youth and sports ministers within the span of four years.
“Starting from May 2013, we have Khairy Jamaluddin who had 61 months as youth and sports minister.
“When the honourable Muar took office he only had 20 months before the Sheraton Move.
“Datuk Seri Reezal Merican and Datuk Seri Faizal Azumu had 18 and 16 months respectively.
“In four years, we have had three ministers – and every time the minister changes, so does board members, budget and focus,” Yeoh said.
Giving an example to explain her point, Yeoh referred to Budget 2022 which she says had no allocations for the Podium Programme tasked with preparing athletes for the major sporting events.
The effect of this, the Segambut MP says, saw 220 athletes unable to continue training.
This also forced the National Sports Council to reach into its own pockets and use internal funds to continue operations.
“Every time we change (the government), allowances are delayed and this has an effect on sports training.
“While we are busy politicking, other nations are advancing.
“I am not saying political instability is the only cause, it’s a factor.
“We must admit after the Sheraton Move, there were efforts by the government which were disturbed due to political instability,” she added.
Yeoh was answering a query during Ministers’ Question Time by Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN) who demanded an explanation as to how political instability resulted in Malaysia’s poor athletic performance in Cambodia. – The Vibes, May 25, 2023
