YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh should stop blaming Malaysia’s poor performance in the recently concluded SEA Games on political instability in the country, Ahmad Faizal Azumu said.

“I hope the youth and sports minister will stop using the same excuse every time.  

“We will always support all actions that enable the performance of the country’s athletes to improve, while developing the country’s sports industry,” the former youth and sports minister posted on Facebook today.

Earlier, Yeoh said the rapid changes of government over the last four years was a factor that contributed to Malaysia’s poor performance in the Cambodia SEA Games.

The Segambut lawmaker said during that period, Malaysia 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.

Faizal dismissed Yeoh’s claims that the National Sports Council’s Podium programme was not continued due to political instability.

“I dispute the statement and will explain.

“Budget 2022 was presented shortly after I was appointed youth and sports minister. At that time, no funds were allocated for the Podium programme.

“In fact, the details of the Podium programme were not mentioned in the budget.”

The Bersatu deputy president, however, said the programme’s budget was apportioned at the beginning of 2022.

“This was after the Youth and Sports Ministry brought papers the cabinet to apply for the funds immediately.

“A total of RM240 million was approved for the period 2022-2025.”

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.