YOURSAY 'The fact that Chong Wei does not support your preferred political party does not mean that he does not deserve to be recognised.'

I'm no political tool, says badminton champ

your say Pronto: Lee Chong Wei, remember those who helped you to be what you are today. You requested my boss to sponsor your trip to Japan and China when you were not listed. From there, you became what you are today.

Do not be used by evil politicians for their own interest. They will dump you like the rest when you are no use to them. Have your own principle.

If not this is not politics, why don't you ask the Penang CM to launch your book when he was the one who award you the datukship. After all, you are from Penang.

Wake up, Chong Wei, just play your badminton.

Raj 5503: I don't think anyone of us have any right to comment on this. Chong Wei swims or sinks on his own.

He is a grown up and if he separates politics from sports, he will do well; and if he doesn't, then one day he will get dragged in the mud.

The story about campaigning for Dr Ling Liong Sik's son though is something that I think says a lot about his political inclinations. We should leave it at that and separate his sports achievements from his political affiliations.

The fact that he does not support your (and probably my) preferred political party does not mean that he does not deserve to be recognised and treated as a national sportsman.

If we respect democracy then we will respect freedom of individual or private choice. If one does not, then that person is no different from the people whom he/she criticises.

Podeh: It's unfair to blame Chong Wei for having to meet these dirty politicians. By winning tournaments, he becomes a national hero and every big shot and their wives want a part of him.

He is in no position to snub them - think of the repercussions for him and his family. Let him grow up and he will find his own way of escaping from this rogue bunch.

Lim Chong Leong: Datuk, you are a sportsman, so stop associating yourself with the big crooks of Umno and taint your image. You are being used, whether you like it or not.

Your hugging of Misbun Sidek is being used to reflect 1Malaysia when it was just a simple celebration of joy in victory between player and coach.

Your datukship was awarded under suspicious political circumstance too. So Chong Wei, don't be naive. You are world champion and an adult. Think.

Gen2: When you publicly associate yourself with one political party, you automatically lose the potential market share made up of the opposing party's fans.

Dr Suresh Kumar: LCW (Lee Chong Wei) truly deserves the accolades and the recognition by the government.

As a national sportsman, it's only polite that he accepts the invitation of the PM. Who he invites to launch his book is entirely his business.

Stop politicising everything under the sun. If we are truly fighting for democracy, then respect LCW's democratic rights too.

Ferdtan: To be fair to Lee, he has no choice - the government politicians are making use of him; and he just enjoyed the fruit (and rewards) of the adulation.

He has to be careful. I have some friends who are disgusted with him, hoping that he loses each time he played.

Just make sure that you behaved with your conscience clear. Don't forget you still have life to live after badminton. Don't let people spit on you.

Vijay47: I am inclined to agree with some of the comments here - that Lee Chong Wei has almost no say in the matter. What can the poor boy do if an Umno warlord demands his presence at some event?

Worse, what choice does he have if PM's wife Rosmah Mansor passes an edict that he must attend to her?

Just one question, Chong Wei, would you be equally sporting if Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng, or Nik Aziz Nik Mat invite you to a function?

KSD: But didn't he himself say at one time that he calls Rosmah every time he is about to play a game? If that's not politics, pray tell us what it is then?

She's no badminton coach as far as I know. Unless she is a bomoh who ensures he wins every time, calling the PM's wife before every game (his words), and telling the world about it, is politics.

Anonymous: A pawn will never know he is another chess piece.

Disgusted: Poor Chong Wei, he is caught between the rock and a hard place. BN will shamelessly exploit anything out of their desperation to win the next general election, including exploiting sportsmen and women.

Najib is willing to face any consequence as long as he can retain his wonderful palace in Putrajaya and to keep his FLOM and himself in the extravagant lifestyle by their profligate spending which they are enjoying at the moment.

Clearwater: Should his badminton aura fade and he falls upon truly hard times, Chong Wei will find out who his real friends are.

Every good sportsman has his day in the sun but it doesn't shine everyday. Even a London summer's day can be overcast and gloomy.

Onyourtoes: I know, this is what most people say. Sports breaks down barriers and makes Malaysians think as one.

How nice, but for most, when they get up in the morning, go to work, put food on the table and pay the bills, these are not sports, got it KTK (Koh Tsu Koon)?

 

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