KUALA LUMPUR — The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has broken its silence over the Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza, saying it condemns the genocide but will not compel athletes to make public statements on the matter.
Its president, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, said while BAM fully supports the government’s position and the recent ceasefire efforts, the association respects players’ individual rights to express their opinions — or to do so in their own way.
“At BAM, we understand the situation in Gaza and we condemn the genocide that’s happening there. That’s BAM’s position,” said Tengku Zafrul.
“But for players, they have their views and their rights. I’m sure, after speaking to some of them, they share the same sentiment. They don’t necessarily express it through social media — everyone has their own way of showing support or compassion,” he added.
He said BAM would not dictate what players should post online.
“Everybody has the right to their views, especially the players. As an association, we condemn what’s happening in Gaza, but we’re also happy that a ceasefire has been reached and we support the government’s position on Gaza.”
Tengku Zafrul was speaking to the press after presenting cash incentives to Malaysia’s mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, as well as women’s doubles finalists Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on Thursday.
His comments came days after Malaysian badminton fans took to social media urging athletes to speak up for Palestine, with some tagging BAM’s official accounts to call for a stronger collective stance.
The online debate — which began after global athletes including Formula One star Lewis Hamilton posted messages of solidarity with Gaza — has sparked mixed reactions locally. While many fans say silence equals complicity, a small number argue that sports figures should not be pressured into commenting on political or humanitarian issues.
In a recent scoop report, several X users criticised the lack of public statements from national players, calling on BAM to “get them to speak up” and show support for the Palestinian cause.
Tengku Zafrul’s response now clarifies BAM’s position: the association stands against the violence in Gaza but will not impose a uniform expectation on its athletes.
The issue reflects a broader trend in global sport — where athletes are increasingly expected to use their platforms for social causes, yet often face scrutiny no matter what they choose to say.
For now, BAM’s message is clear: the association’s solidarity with Gaza is firm, but its players’ voices — or their silence — remain their own choice. — October 9, 2025