An opposition Youth wing today criticised MCA for politicising badminton players in an attempt to net votes in the upcoming Machap by-election in Malacca.

DAP Youth wing national secretary Anthony Loke reprimanded Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Liow Tiong Lai for exploiting national sportsmen. Liow ( right ) is also the MCA Youth chief.

Loke was responding to the invitation extended to All-England and Swiss Open doubles champions Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong to Machap on Saturday for the 'Love Badminton Campaign'.

"The timing of the event in the midst of the by-election campaign clearly showed that MCA tried to capitalise on the pair's popularity to draw in the crowd," he said in a statement.

He claimed that Liow was not confident of attracting a crowd by himself and had to depend on badminton stars as a 'pull factor'.

"I pity Koo and Tan for being forced to attend all these unnecessary events although they are reluctant to do so," he said.

"They have publicly stated that they are uncomfortable in attending non-badminton activities which can affect their concentration," he added.

Loke also quoted the pair's coach Rexy Mainaky as saying that too much distraction will not help their game.

"Can the Youth and Sports Ministry convince us that signing autographs can improve the level of their game?" he asked.

Tan said on television last night that he was reluctant to go to the Machap function, but felt compelled to as it was organised by BN.

The duo were also quoted in a Chinese-language newspaper that they would prefer less distraction to their training.

Go for gold, not votes

Loke ( left ), who is also the Lobak state assemblyperson, said the nation is proud of the pair's achievement and their ultimate goal is to win an Olympics gold medal.

"For this to happen, they must be left alone to train hard and not be misused by certain politicians for their political interests, and in this case, be roped in for a by-election campaign," he said.

He said DAP Youth urges the public to stand up against such exploitation and ensure that Machap is the last stop for the badminton stars.

"We certainly do not want to hear another 'Love Badminton Campaign' in Ijok (another by-election will be held for that state seat in Selangor)," he added.

The April 12 Machap by-election will see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional-MCA candidate Lai Meng Chong, 56 and DAP's Liou Chen Kuang, 33.

The seat fell vacant following the death of its assemblyperson Poh Ah Tiam on March 15.