PARLIAMENT | Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said his recent comments about national diver Pandelela Rinong’s revelation about her former coach who liked to make ‘lewd jokes’ have been taken out of context.
He clarified that his ministry just wanted to seek further clarification from Pandelela as well as others involved in the matter.
“What I said in the press conference yesterday may have been written out of context by the media.
“I meant that we need to get further explanation from Pandelela herself and those involved including the lewd jokes and so on.
“I need a thorough explanation before I can take the next step,” Faizal said in the Dewan Rakyat during the question-and-answer session today.
He had been responding to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Independent-Muar) who had asked about the minister’s stand on the issue of sexual harassment against athletes.
Last Thursday, Pandelela had shared on social media that she had a former coach who liked to make lewd jokes, but athletes could not do anything about him as he had the backing of the head coach.
She claimed the coach committed rape seven years later.
Faizal had yesterday questioned why Pandelela was bringing up an “old story” which happened “long ago”, a comment which had earned him brickbats from the public.
In the Dewan Rakyat today, Faizal said he agreed with Syed Saddiq on the need for a committee to look into cases of sexual harassment in sports and to ensure it does not happen again.
“Even if it does happen, there will be a thorough investigation to ensure the athletes involved in the sports will not be exposed to such disgusting things,” he said.
Gobind Singh Deo (Pakatan Harapan-Puchong) also slammed Faizal in the Dewan Rakyat for his remarks on Pandelela.
“You are unfit to be the youth and sports minister because you did not provide support to them (the athletes) or what Pandelela talked about.
“Did you know that there is no time limitation in criminal law? If there is a complaint, even if it is old, there should be action taken and you as a minister should set an example for this,” Gobind said.
Faizal acquiesced in Gobind’s opinion, saying that he is aware that there is no time limitation in criminal law.
He reiterated that what he meant yesterday was that he would listen to all sides before taking any action.
“We must defend our athletes who have made our country proud,” he said. - Mkini
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