THE Ministry of Youth and Sports has asked the National Sports Council (NSC) to investigate a national female hockey player who allegedly made racist remarks on social media recently. 

Minister Hannah Yeoh also urged the NSC to get help from the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) to investigate the matter. 

“Once I get the opinion from NSC we will decide. So today, the NSC will discuss with MHC, I have also informed Subahan Kamal (MHC president),” she said in a press conference at the ministry today. 

An Instagram account holder using the @niezhanis handle, believed to be a member of the national women’s hockey team, allegedly left a racist comment on an Instagram post related to the concert of a famous Indian singer and composer that was held recently in Kuala Lumpur. 

After realising her comment had gone viral and sparked outrage, she posted an apology on her Instagram page today. 

“I am Hanis Nadiah Onn, a national hockey player, with humility and responsibility would like to apologise for deliberately posting a comment on Jan 28,” she said in the post. 

She said she realised that the comment had offended many parties, adding that she had deleted it. 

“Throughout my 10-year involvement in hockey, I am surrounded by friends from different races who are constantly fighting for Malaysia. 

“I regret my carelessness and again I apologise to those affected,” said the 26-year-old player who helped Malaysia win gold medals at the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games.

Meanwhile, the MHC will conduct an inquiry into the alleged racist remarks made.

In a statement released today, the MHC said its disciplinary committee will call in the player concerned as part of its investigation on the social media post.

“The findings of the inquiry will be submitted to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh for her further action,” it said. – Bernama, January 31, 2023.