Chong Wei to get RM100k 'award' from Penang

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has announced that national badminton star Lee Chong Wei may be awarded RM100,000 from the state coffers.
            
At a press conference early this morning, Lim said he would recommend to the Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBA) to reward Lee for his success as the first Malaysian to win two silver medals at the Olympics.

"The PBA usually (gives) awards (to) outstanding sportsmen and women," said Lim when launching the  upgrading road project in Jalan Gottlieb at around 10.20am this morning.

“We want to show our appreciation to Lee for being the first Malaysian with two silver medals.

Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said when Lee returns to Penang, he would be presented with the award.

Lee returned to his homeland today via the KL International Airport at about 7.30am.

Malaysians mourned when he was defeated by archrival Lin Dan of China 21-15, 10-21, 19-21 in the singles badminton competition finals at the London Olympics on Sunday.

The loss is Lee’s second, having also lost to Lin Dan at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

While most Malaysians described Lee as a symbol of unity and heroism for bringing citizens together despite their differences, DAP Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson M Manoharan was intenselycriticised for his less flattering tweets over the former’s defeat. 

‘Manoharan is alone’

Responding to BN’s call for the DAP to make a clear stand on whether they agreed with Manoharan’s remarks, Lim today distanced himself from his comrade.
 
Lim castigated Manoharan for his “totally insensitive” remarks regarding Lee’s defeat at the hands of Lin Dan.

Lim said Manoharan does not represent the party and that he is “totally alone” in his views.

He declined to comment further, saying the remarks - which many considered as rude and racist - were not worth pondering on.

When asked if the party would take any action against Manoharan, Lim refused to elaborate.

“What I said is sufficient. This type of comment is insensitive, and not worth commenting on,” he added.

Lim also said Pakatan Rakyat does not wish to mix sports and politics.

“That is why we do not hold any positions in sports associations. We prefer the experts to hold them,” he added.