PJ MP: Terengganu move to withdraw female gymnasts hurts all parties

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung has called the decision of the Terengganu government to withdraw its female athletes from gymnastics a decision that “hurts the hearts of all parties”.

He said this in response to Terengganu PAS exco Hishamuddin Abdul Karim, who announced that the state will not participate in the women’s gymnastics and gymrama events for the Malaysian Games (Sukma) because the sport requires athletes to wear tight clothes and show their body shape.

“This decision is outrageous, conservative, and thoughtless. Sportswear is for competing effectively and comfortably, and should not be punished by narrow religious definitions. 

“This decision has hurt the hearts of all the children who have been training for years, as well as the parents who encourage their children to pursue their dreams as athletes.

“How can parents explain to their children who are prevented from competing? What about the space and future of the non-Muslim minority in Terengganu?” asked Lee in a statement released on Facebook today.

He also took aim at the suggestion of Zamif Kachari, the Terengganu Amanah Youth chief, who called for PAS to be consistent and also restrict male athletes as well as athletes from other PAS-governed states such as Kelantan and Kedah.

“If Hushamuddin’s decision is extreme, I describe the proposal of Zamir as ‘madness’. He suggested that the state also tighten the dress code for other sports and men and other sports.

“This is not the stance of Pakatan Harapan, and it is clearly not the basis of the struggle for PKR,” added Lee.

Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung

He went on to invite all comrades and political rivals to compete on the platform of economic policy and people’s issues. 

“Fighting to see who is more ‘powerful’ in fighting for cultural/religious identity will get our people nowhere. Instead, it will divert attention from the real issues (competitiveness and welfare of athletes) and continue to harm our country.

“Let’s call sport a sport,” said Lee.

Switching to wushu

Yesterday, after the PAS state government barred women athletes from gymnastic events including for Sukma due to tight-fitting attire, Terengganu Gymnastics Association (PGNT) president Abdul Razak Mat Amin said the association would abide by the ruling.

“For now, our women gymnasts will be absorbed into the wushu event. So far, six of them have been moved to this event.

“PGNT will focus on its male athletes. In fact, we have brought about the best gymnast in the country,” he told Malaysiakini.

Razak was referring to Muhammad Sharul Aimy Mohd Kamaru Hisam, 22, who won bronze in the Asian Games last week.

He claimed that PGNT’s female gymnasts have long prepared for this change so their talents can be directed to other events.

“So, they have been encouraged to join wushu because the fundamentals and movements of gymnastics are compatible with the skills needed in wushu. - Mkini