KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has strongly defended Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, Malaysia’s chef de mission for the upcoming Paris Olympics, amid calls for his dismissal over the controversy surrounding the national contingent’s official kit.
Critics have suggested replacing Hamidin with national squash legend Datuk Nicol Ann David, who currently serves as deputy chef de mission.
“In these social media comments, every time there’s a problem, the solution proposed is to drop the individual involved, and that’s not the right approach,” said Hannah during a press conference at the National Women’s League in Kuala Lumpur today.
“When a team loses, we sack the manager. But what we really need to do is identify the root cause of the problem, and in this case, it’s not Datuk Hamidin.
“So why should we replace him over a uniform issue?”
Hannah’s remarks follow the uproar caused by the unveiling of the official attire for the Malaysian contingent last Sunday, which has faced widespread disapproval over its look and design.
The backlash has led to viral photos of AI-generated alternative designs being circulated online, mocking the current design and urging the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Olympic Council of Malaysia to consider new options for the country’s Olympics-bound athletes.
In response to the controversy, Hannah assured that the criticised kit would not be used for the Games opening ceremony parade on July 26.
She confirmed that the Malaysian contingent would be outfitted in alternative attire for the parade, designed by a local designer. – June 27, 2024