Amid racial tirade from the likes of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) which threatens to drive a wedge in multiracial Malaysia, the Thomas Cup has emerged as a pleasant respite with Malaysians coming together for a common cause - rooting for the country's victory.
Top seed Lee Chong Wei and his team mates Chong Wei Feng, Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How made Malaysia proud after defeating Indonesia on Friday, securing a place in the final for the first time in 12 years.
Despite the team's success, comprising players who identify themselves as Malaysians rather than by ethnicity, cynicism prevailed for some as there was the constant reminder by Isma that the country's minorities were "pendatang" (immigrants) and "penceroboh" (intruders).
"Malaysian Chinese (have) no contribution in the country even (if) you win (the) final match (there) is still nothing to be proud of. If you don't believe, ask Isma," said Facebook user Sky Rain.
"(After) asking all Chinese badminton players representing Malaysia to go back China, (then) ask (Perkasa chief) Ibrahim Ali to play, or even Isma can go play badminton," said another Facebook user Keong Ng.
But for the vast majority of Malaysians, the hope of Malaysia securing the Thomas Cup for the first time in 22 years was beyond race.
"We are Malaysians, when the Sidek brothers were there (Thomas Cup final in 1992), I supported and rallied behind Malaysia.
"When the current group of players who are Malaysians of ethnic Chinese, I still support Malaysia," said Idris Mohd on Facebook.
"Today's showdown (is) nasi lemak versus sushi, Sure-lah nasi lemak (will) win because we all love nasi lemak because it brings us together," said another user Kenny Teoh in reference to the national dish.
Malaysia will be facing Japan, which also created history after making into the Thomas Cup final for the first time after defeating China.
The ailing standards of sports have given few opportunities for Malaysians to rally behind a common cause but the latest achievement has even gotten government ministers excited.
Yesterday, Sports and Youth Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (left) made an impassioned public appeal to satellite television network Astro to give RTM the broadcasting rights for airing the Thomas Cup final so that it can be viewed by all Malaysians for free.
Subsequently, Communication and Multimedia Minister Shabery Cheek instructed RTM to enter in negotiations with Astro, prompting the latter to surrender the broadcasting rights for free.
The final will be broadcasted live via TV1 today at 5.30pm.
Top seed Lee Chong Wei and his team mates Chong Wei Feng, Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How made Malaysia proud after defeating Indonesia on Friday, securing a place in the final for the first time in 12 years.Despite the team's success, comprising players who identify themselves as Malaysians rather than by ethnicity, cynicism prevailed for some as there was the constant reminder by Isma that the country's minorities were "pendatang" (immigrants) and "penceroboh" (intruders).
"Malaysian Chinese (have) no contribution in the country even (if) you win (the) final match (there) is still nothing to be proud of. If you don't believe, ask Isma," said Facebook user Sky Rain.
"(After) asking all Chinese badminton players representing Malaysia to go back China, (then) ask (Perkasa chief) Ibrahim Ali to play, or even Isma can go play badminton," said another Facebook user Keong Ng.But for the vast majority of Malaysians, the hope of Malaysia securing the Thomas Cup for the first time in 22 years was beyond race.
"We are Malaysians, when the Sidek brothers were there (Thomas Cup final in 1992), I supported and rallied behind Malaysia.
"When the current group of players who are Malaysians of ethnic Chinese, I still support Malaysia," said Idris Mohd on Facebook.
"Today's showdown (is) nasi lemak versus sushi, Sure-lah nasi lemak (will) win because we all love nasi lemak because it brings us together," said another user Kenny Teoh in reference to the national dish.
Malaysia will be facing Japan, which also created history after making into the Thomas Cup final for the first time after defeating China.
The ailing standards of sports have given few opportunities for Malaysians to rally behind a common cause but the latest achievement has even gotten government ministers excited.
Yesterday, Sports and Youth Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (left) made an impassioned public appeal to satellite television network Astro to give RTM the broadcasting rights for airing the Thomas Cup final so that it can be viewed by all Malaysians for free.Subsequently, Communication and Multimedia Minister Shabery Cheek instructed RTM to enter in negotiations with Astro, prompting the latter to surrender the broadcasting rights for free.
The final will be broadcasted live via TV1 today at 5.30pm.
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