Malaysians must honour the achievement of their Thomas Cup team by standing up against those who make derogatory remarks about the Chinese, said Zaid Ibrahim.
If the leaders lack the gumption to do so, the former minister said, then it is up to the people to smash home the point.
"Let us collectively make it known that we the people reject hate politics.
"We prefer badminton, which has proven to be a stronger way for the people of this country to bond together," Zaid added in his blog.
He said the Malaysian Thomas Cup team, comprising players who are not bumiputera nor Muslims, accomplished far more than some "shameless" bumiputeras.
"When they come home, let's welcome them. Let their love for badminton and the country be reciprocated. Let's show our appreciation by never doubting their love and loyalty to the country.
"We owe it to them, not just for a day or for as long as Thomas Cup fever still grips the nation, but forever.
"We need to stop irresponsible and mindless political apparatchiks and mercenaries from ever again uttering shameless words like 'pendatang' (immigrants) or calling the Chinese 'ungrateful'," he added.
Although Malaysia lost to Japan in the final last night, Zaid felt that it would not be fair to term the outcome as a defeat.
"Their hard work and sacrifice were inspiring, as was their selfless dedication to the game. They were not doing this for themselves.
"They had a mission, a belief that they owed it to their country.
"They wanted to win the Thomas Cup and make Malaysia be able to reclaim the title of being the king of badminton," he said.
Zaid's comments come in the wake of firebrand academician Ridhuan Tee Abdullah's badminton analogy to serve a salvo at Chinese Malaysians, questioning their love for the nation.
If the leaders lack the gumption to do so, the former minister said, then it is up to the people to smash home the point.
"Let us collectively make it known that we the people reject hate politics.
"We prefer badminton, which has proven to be a stronger way for the people of this country to bond together," Zaid added in his blog.He said the Malaysian Thomas Cup team, comprising players who are not bumiputera nor Muslims, accomplished far more than some "shameless" bumiputeras.
"When they come home, let's welcome them. Let their love for badminton and the country be reciprocated. Let's show our appreciation by never doubting their love and loyalty to the country.
"We owe it to them, not just for a day or for as long as Thomas Cup fever still grips the nation, but forever.
"We need to stop irresponsible and mindless political apparatchiks and mercenaries from ever again uttering shameless words like 'pendatang' (immigrants) or calling the Chinese 'ungrateful'," he added.
Although Malaysia lost to Japan in the final last night, Zaid felt that it would not be fair to term the outcome as a defeat."Their hard work and sacrifice were inspiring, as was their selfless dedication to the game. They were not doing this for themselves.
"They had a mission, a belief that they owed it to their country.
"They wanted to win the Thomas Cup and make Malaysia be able to reclaim the title of being the king of badminton," he said.
Zaid's comments come in the wake of firebrand academician Ridhuan Tee Abdullah's badminton analogy to serve a salvo at Chinese Malaysians, questioning their love for the nation.
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