Sports can unite us, PAS MP lauds doubles pair Chia-Soh

PAS lawmaker Muhammad Ismi Mat Taib has heralded the power of sports in transcending racial and religious barriers.

He was commenting on the support and reaction for Malaysian badminton doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who secured the bronze medal, the nation’s first medal at the Paris Olympics.

The Parit MP also described their achievement as an inspiration for the younger generation.

“Their achievement not only shows Malaysia is capable of competing at the international level but also tells us that with hard work and support, we can achieve anything,” he added.

Commenting on the unwavering support from Malaysians for the pair, Ismi pointed out that sports are an effective agent for bringing people together regardless of race, religion, and background.

From the onset, he said Malaysians had showered the nation’s athletes with undivided support.

“The Jalur Gemilang was proudly displayed in various corners, be it in Malaysia or abroad, underscoring our immense hope and prayers for their success,” he was quoted as stating by Harakah.

National spirit overcomes differences

He said social media was flooded with messages of support with hashtags such as #TeamMalaysia, #MalaysiaBoleh and #DemiMalaysia, proving that Malaysians are united in expressing their backing for these national heroes.

“I was informed that apart from moral support, numerous other initiatives were undertaken by various quarters to support Malaysian athletes.

“From the federal government, state governments and corporate firms, all joined hands to provide contributions for our athletes’ well-being and ensure they had the best preparation.

“The funding, sponsorship of training camps and provision of international standard facilities were among the efforts that show how serious we are in supporting their struggle,” he added.

According to Ismi, this period revealed that the national spirit can overcome differences and unite Malaysians along a single objective, which is to support the athletes.

“Hopefully, this spirit of unity remains fertile and serves as the foundation for our success during future challenges,” he added.

Apart from Chia and Soh, Malaysia’s top badminton singles player Lee Zii Jia also clinched the bronze medal after defeating India’s Lakshya Sen.

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