KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has hit out at the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) over its treatment of two-time Paralympic gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou.
Liek Hou had allegedly labelled PCM a “scam organisation” in a social media post over the council’s delay in paying the RM60,000 cash reward promised for his gold medal at the Paris Paralympics last year.
PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said on Thursday that Liek Hou‘s remarks were excessive and had damaged the council’s reputation and future sponsorship prospects.
He said PCM would send a show-cause letter to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Youth and Sports Ministry before considering a suspension, while also seeking legal advice to protect its credibility and sponsors.
But Yeoh, in a social media post, defended the para-badminton legend, stressing that he had not breached any disciplinary rules and was merely asking for what had been promised.
“I refer to today’s press conference by PCM regarding the show-cause action against Liek Hou.
“The fact is, sponsors come forward because they want to support and celebrate the success of athletes, not merely to sponsor PCM.
“This is not the way to treat an athlete who has raised Malaysia’s name on the world stage. Liek Hou is a hardworking athlete, and every time he competes, he brings back medals for Malaysia.
“He has not breached any disciplinary guidelines. He is only demanding what was promised to him a year after winning the gold medal at last year’s Paris Paralympics. This is not a disciplinary issue but one that stems from PCM’s own delay.
“Liek Hou is under the care of BAM and fully funded by the NSC. Any decision regarding his status is not solely in the hands of PCM. PCM has no right to act unilaterally,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, BAM deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam said the association should not be dragged into the controversy, as its role is only to facilitate Liek Hou’s registration under the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
“Liek Hou comes under the jurisdiction of the NSC. BAM, as the national body under the BWF, only facilitates his registration for tournaments. Our role does not go beyond that. We are surprised to be linked to this issue,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
