THE volleyball coach who slapped two teenage athletes will still be subjected to investigation despite his apology and one of the parents forgiving him, Hannah Yeoh said.

The youth and sports minister said the ministry will conduct an independent investigation into the matter.

“The parent and state exco (executive councillor V.P. Shanmugam) have spoken but the ministry will continue its independent investigation because this is not about one coach or two players but a precedent we are setting for the next generation in sports.

“Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and I are on this together,” Yeoh tweeted. 

In a video clip, which has been making its rounds on social media, a coach is seen slapping two female players during the 2022 Malaysia Youth Under-14 Volleyball Championship in Johor last month, drawing Yeoh’s ire. 

The Malaysia Volleyball Association (Mava) said the volleyball coach who allegedly slapped two teenage female players has been suspended from involvement in all national volleyball activities until investigations are completed.

Mava also announced that they would establish an investigative body to look into the incident immediately and would contact related parties for that purpose.

Yesterday, the father of one of the two teenage students who were slapped by a volleyball coach says he has forgiven the teacher and hopes no disciplinary action will be taken against him.

Shanmugam is supposed to be meeting the coach, players, their parents as well as representatives from the Youth and Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and Malacca Volleyball Association today. – January 4, 2023.