Contemplating lawsuits and potential suspension for a Paralympic gold medalist
In a twist of events, the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM) finds itself in a heated debate over the delayed payment of a RM60,000 reward to two-time Paralympic gold medallist, Cheah Liek Hou. Liek Hou, who brought glory to Malaysia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, expressed his frustration over not receiving the promised prize money over a year after the Games. His concerns were echoed by DAP's Kampar MP, Chong Zhemin, who urged the Youth and Sports Ministry to intervene and ensure that Malaysian athletes are treated fairly.
MPM president Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin acknowledged the issue, stating that Liek Hou's public post has potentially damaged the council's image. However, Megat questioned the origin of the RM60,000 figure mentioned by Liek Hou.
The Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports had decided in 2023 to pay the RM 60,000 prize to Liek Hou for his victories. However, it appears that the payment has not been made, leading to the current controversy.
In response to the situation, MPM has received RM88,000 from a sponsor to be distributed to athletes. However, the details regarding the distribution, including the payment to Liek Hou, remain unclear.
MPM has the authority to register participants for sporting events and even has the power to suspend athletes from future major events. In this case, a show cause letter has been issued to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Despite the controversy, MPM remains open to discussions about the situation. The National Sports Council will be contacted to determine if there is a code of ethics regarding athlete behaviour.
Amidst the controversy, the duty of MPM to honour its obligation of the RM60,000 reward remains clear. Malaysians will always stand behind our champions, according to Chong, who reiterated that it is crucial to ensure our athletes are treated fairly.
As the situation unfolds, it is hoped that a resolution can be found that upholds the dignity and respect due to our hardworking athletes who bring pride to the nation through their achievements.
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