FMT LETTER, From Wong Koon Mun, via e-mail

Words cannot express my disgust against the crass message by my fellow Selangor state assemblyman from DAP for Kota Alam Shah M Manoharan who yesterday tweeted @mmanoADUN that “Give Pakatan to rule Putrajaya to bring in the Gold in next Olympics in Rio 2016” and “Malaysia will win its first GOLD Medal in Olympics after Pakatan takes over Putrajaya.”

I wish to draw Manoharan’s attention among the roles of the International Olympic Committee as enshrined in the Olympics Charter read “To encourage and support the efforts of sports organisations and public authorities to provide for the social and professional future of athletes;” and “To oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes;”

It is the ethos, spirit and mission of the Olympics that the games be free of political inclinations, that athletes from throughout the world come together to contest to the fullest of their ability and in full sportsmanship.

Change in administration plays no role in medals tally

To win any medal at the Olympics or any world championships takes many years of sheer diligence, full discipline and commitment, and not over which political coalition is in power.

Be it a developed democracy like America, Australia, Republic of Korea or United Kingdom where there are changes of government or even a one-party country like China and North Korea, only the best athletes through long hours of regimented training and discipline will reach the medals podium.

Any change in the federal administration will not guarantee the athlete any medal if he/she was just not the best athlete for that moment, or if he/she fails the doping test, suffers an injury during the tournament or is disqualified for deliberately throwing a match to lose.

Frankly speaking, I wonder what sort of scientific methodology which Manoharan relied upon to link and conclude that if Pakatan were to hold federal office, Malaysia will emerge victorious. Is the Kota Alam Shah ADUN aware that when Pakatan captured the Selangor state government in 2008, Selangor failed to achieve anything during the SUKMA games which proves that even if Pakatan were to capture Putrajaya, they will not even be able to maintain a silver in the Olympics.

The writer is MCA Selangor secretary and the state assemblyman for Kuala Kubu Baru.