THE rapid changes of government over the last four years was a factor in Malaysia’s poor performance in the SEA Games, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said.

The Segambut lawmaker said in that period, Malaysia has had three prime ministers and three youth and sports ministers under different administrations.

“Whenever there are changes, athletes’ allowances and coaches’ salaries are delayed because there is no budget. This affects their training, especially those who have to go overseas.

“Unstable politics in Malaysia is just one of the factors,” she told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Yeoh was replying to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN), who asked her to clarify her statement that political instability was the cause for Malaysia’s poor performance in the SEA Games.

Yeoh said after the Sheraton Move, there was a lot of effort by the government to help, but it was all disrupted by political instability.

Fadhli asked about the ministry’s future plans to prevent politics from affecting sports, to which Yeoh said her ministry formed the “Road to Gold” committee.

“We have former athletes, sports association (representatives) and experienced sports administrators (on the committee) to ensure even if there is a change of (youth and sports) minister, we can work with the Malaysian Olympic Council to help our athletes train and (guarantee) sufficient infrastructure.

“Even if there is no minister, the committee can still function to ensure there are no disruptions to athletes’ training.”

Malaysia failed to achieve its 40-gold medal SEA Games target. It finished seventh overall in the 11-country tournament with 34 gold, 45 silver and 97 bronze medals. – May 25, 2023.