'Nothing wrong with taking a picture with another Olympian, but timing and sensitivity matter' - Ex-manager to Hannah Yeoh

SHAH ALAM - In the heightened scrutiny of the Olympics, the recent image of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh with a rival athlete has ignited fierce public debate and intensified the existing controversies in Malaysian sports.

Recently, a photo shared on social media featuring Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, alongside Paris 2024's silver medalist for badminton, Kunlavut Vitidsarn stirred up a storm of controversy.

Thailand's Kunlavut had just competed against Malaysia's own Lee Zii Jia in a critical match, where Zii Jia’s defeat had left many Malaysians frustrated.

Yeoh's choice to post this image on social media, accompanied by a caption that many found insensitive, further inflamed the situation.

Former Selangor manager Zakaria Rahim took to his Facebook account and weighed in on the matter, pointing out that while there is nothing inherently wrong with taking a photo with any athlete, including an opponent, the problem arises when such images are shared publicly at a time when the nation is still grappling with disappointment.

Zakaria who is better known as Zack Rahim argued that the timing of such posts matters significantly.

“If the minister had shared the photo months later, the uproar might have been muted, but the immediate aftermath of Zii Jia’s loss made it feel like a jab to many Malaysians.

“The core issue is not the photo itself but the perceived lack of empathy and solidarity towards national athletes.

“In sports, where national pride and personal connections are deeply intertwined, such actions can come across as tone-deaf, especially when public sentiment is still raw.

“The sports minister's role should be to support and uplift athletes, not to inadvertently highlight rival successes at a moment of national disappointment,” the local sports analyst said.

Similar criticisms were directed at the President of the Malaysian Olympic Council (OCM), Tan Sri Norza Zakaria who faced backlash for bringing his family to the Paris Olympics while key support staff for athletes like Goh Jin Wei and Zii Jia were left out due to accreditation issues.

Zack said that while Norza was entitled to bring guests under special accreditation rules, the optics of his family attending while athletes struggled with support raised questions about priorities.

“The nature of these controversies lies in perception. The public's understanding is shaped not just by the rules but by the visible outcomes and the narrative presented through media and social channels.

“Public figures, especially in leadership roles, must be acutely aware of how their actions and decisions are perceived. Social media magnifies these perceptions, making it essential for leaders to manage their public image with sensitivity and foresight.

“In an era where every action can be scrutinised, maintaining a thoughtful approach to public interactions and managing perceptions with care is crucial.

“Leaders and public figures should be prepared for scrutiny and criticism, understanding that every choice, especially in the digital age, contributes to their overall image and the public’s reaction.

“If you can't handle criticism and scrutiny, consider staying out of leadership, athletics or celebrity roles.

"Instead, stay at home quietly, water your plants and clean the drains,” he said.