THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-HEATED EXCHANGE OVER WITHDRAWAL FROM SEA GAMES

Heated exchange over withdrawal from SEA Games
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated exchange broke out at the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday over the withdrawal of the Malaysia Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) from the 24th SEA Games in Korat, Thailand. It started when Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar (BN-Larut) raised the matter when debating the 2008 Supply Bill 2008, saying that the action would affect Malaysia’s efforts to host international competitions in future, after having failed in its attempts to host the Asian Games and also the Olympics. His remarks brought Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading), who is Johor Sepak Takraw Association president, to speak in defence of the PSM’s stand although he should only be seeking clarification at this juncture. A heated exchange ensued when Raja Ahmad Zainuddin kept questioning the rationale behind the withdrawal by Malaysia, which had protested the use of rubber coated balls for sepak takraw at the Korat Games. The exchange stopped when Deputy Speaker Datuk Lim Si Cheng intervened. Youth and Sports Ministry Parliamentary Secretary S Vigneswaran, in responding to the issue, said the ministry was upset with the decision by PSM which did not consult the ministry and the National Sports Council. - Bernama