SARAWAK is “really, really sad”, said state minister Fatimah Abdullah, following the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) move to strip Malaysia of the right to host the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships.

Fatimah, who holds the welfare, community well-being, women, family and childhood development portfolio, said she is gutted that the competition, which was supposed to take place in Kuching from July 29 to August 4, has been “taken away”.

“We feel very sad. Really, really sad,” she said, describing the disappointment felt by the state government and event organisers.

“We were looking forward to it,” she told reporters at her office in Kuching today.

Fatimah said she and her team of organisers had worked hard on preparing for the competition.

“We held endless meetings. We put a lot of work into it.”

IPC president Andrew Parsons, announcing the decision yesterday, said: “All world championships must be open to all eligible athletes and nations to compete safely and free from discrimination.”

The committee said a new venue will be sought for the same dates, although there might be some flexibility in light of the circumstances.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia would not allow Israeli swimmers to enter the country to compete in the swim meet, in a reversal of the assurance given by the Paralympic Council of Malaysia in September 2017 when it signed the contract with IPC to host the championships.

Following the IPC announcement, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the country stands firm by its decision, made on humane grounds in support of Palestinians.

“We will not compromise,” he said yesterday.

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today said the state accepts the IPC decision.

“Malaysia has its own stance. And, we are just a venue. I know it is being cancelled, but we have to heed the foreign policy of the federal government,” he was quoted by Bernama as saying.

However, Deputy Chief Minister James Masing questioned Malaysia’s position on the matter.

“The argument that Malaysia, as a Muslim government, must take sides with the Palestinians is OK, but up to a point.”

If the issue concerns human rights, why, then, has the country not banned athletes from Myanmar over the atrocities committed by its government against the Rohingya Muslim minority, he said.

Masing questioned if Dr Mahathir has “selective memory” and a “selective dislike for Israel”.

Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) said Putrajaya’s stance on the Israeli swimmers will have repercussions for multiracial and multireligious Sarawak.

“This (policy) reflects badly on the secular nature of Sarawak,” said publicity chief Bobby William in a statement.

“We at PBDSB feel it is a shame that as Sarawakians, we are not acting the part of a genuine secular nation.” – January 28, 2019.