KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) president Datuk A. Vaithilingam has called on Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to take a more hands-on role in driving the nation’s sports development, rather than relying too heavily on committees.
Speaking to Scoop at the launch of his biography Vaithi — A Life of Service on Monday, Vaithilingam said past ministers were far more involved on the ground, engaging directly with athletes and sports bodies.
“A minister cannot just sit in Putrajaya waiting for committee reports. You have to go to the fields, courts, and tracks — see for yourself what is happening. In the old days, sports ministers were everywhere, meeting the people and making decisions on the spot,” he said.
Vaithilingam, who has spent decades shaping grassroots sports, warned that an over-reliance on committees risks creating policies disconnected from real needs.
“Committees have their place, but they cannot replace the minister’s presence and personal commitment. Without that, policies can feel detached from reality,” he said.
He also expressed concern that the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) no longer encourages youth associations to speak up and defend their rights as freely as they once did.
“Youth associations used to be vibrant and fearless. They organised, they spoke out, they fought for causes. Today, there’s a sense they are holding back — whether by choice or due to restrictions. That is not healthy for our sports or for the nation’s youth,” he added.
For his long service to grassroots development and sport, Vaithilingam was inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia Hall of Fame in 2012.
He is also credited with introducing sports such as softball and rhythmic gymnastics to Malaysia — disciplines that have since delivered medals at regional meets, including the SEA Games and Commonwealth Games.
Vaithi — A Life of Service spans 32 chapters and chronicles Vaithilingam’s decades of work in education, sports development, interfaith dialogue, and community service. The biography traces his formative years, leadership of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, and his involvement with inter-religious bodies. – August 14, 2025