Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak believes that politicians can learn from sports people, and by doing so, Malaysia could become united in the true sense.

“I’m a politician, but for me, we can play politics but in the end what's important is our country – Malaysia is important,” he said in his speech at the launch of Astro’s new documentary on the legends of the 1980 Harimau Malaya team – ‘Harimau Malaya 1980’.

Salleh said it did not matter which state a sports person comes from because he or she would not be able to represent him or herself in the Olympics or the World Cup.

“(But) as a country, as a nation, you can be there (at these events),” he added.

The minister said numerous lessons can be gleaned from the 1980 Harimau Malaya “dream team”.

Expressing pride for the football squad, Salleh noted how the players had given their best without making a name for themselves.

“Today, sometimes, we make a name for ourselves first, whether we win or not is secondary.

“Back then, they gave up everything. All they wanted was for the team to win […] they wanted Malaysia to win,” he said, adding that it exhibited their patriotic spirit.

“Apart from Sept 16 when we celebrate Malaysia Day, sometimes there are things that we lack. That's why I said it would be good if politics can learn from sports,” he said.

Salleh recalled the excitement he felt in 1980 when the Malaysian football team qualified for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

“I'm confident that although I am from Sabah... James Wong and Hassan Sani are from Sabah... at that time there was no question about autonomy, nothing about ‘Sabah for Sabahans’.

“What was important was that Sabahans were playing for Malaysia,” he said.

Salleh, who is also Umno treasurer, said the footballers of the past did not care which state they came from.

“They were proud of their country. Have we lost this sense? Have we, just because of our differences, forgotten such things?

“As Malaysians we should be ashamed if we do not follow the dream team who were able to unite the country,” he added.

‘Harimau Malaya 1980’ is set to premiere on Sept 16 in conjunction with Malaysia Day. Viewers can tune in to Astro Arena and Astro SuperSport at 9pm to watch the documentary.

The 1980 Harimau Malaya squad members were reunited for this documentary for the first time in 36 years. Those interviewed were football icons Soh Chin Aun, Wong, Hassan, Santokh Singh as well as their coach Karl-Heinz Weigang.