KUANTAN: Critics of Malaysia’s gold haul at the recent Vietnam SEA Games should be constructive, says Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

He said the ministry welcomed criticisms but noted the target of 36 gold medals was set after consultation with all stakeholders and sports associations.Ti: ‘Criticisms should not be personal and critics should not replay issues that have already been settled to start a barrage of new attacks.’Ti: ‘Criticisms should not be personal and critics should not replay issues that have already been settled to start a barrage of new attacks.’

“It’s not plucked out of the sky or at the whims and fancies of the minister or ministry. This consultation was also based on the games that were set by the host nation, which had the advantage as they could choose the games.

“Every SEA Games had a different ecosystem. We welcome criticisms but it would have been much better when the target was set.

“The criticism on the target should be timely when it was decided with consultation and not after the event,” he said after launching the Pahang-level Rakan Wira Mahir programme here yesterday.

Ti added that the national athletes actually exceeded the target by coming home with 39 gold medals.

He said 60% of these athletes were competing for the first time at an international event while 40% were below 21 years old.

“Critics should take note of all these facts and be fair about it,” he said.

DAP’s Steven Sim had reportedly accused Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu of attempting to pass the buck to the athletes for the country’s performance in the 2022 SEA Games.

The Bukit Mertajam MP, who served as the deputy youth and sports minister in the Pakatan Harapan government, had called out the ministry for slashing the budgets for participation in international tournaments by 80% in Budget 2022 compared to Budget 2018.

To this, Ti said this had been overcome as Ahmad Faizal had worked hard to regain what was not allocated in the Budget.

He said furthermore, the Budget was set by the Finance Ministry, so it was unfair to blame Ahmad Faizal.

“Criticisms should not be personal and critics should not replay issues that have already been settled to start a barrage of new attacks, as if it’s still there or to attack without basis based on distorted facts, unreflective of the true situation of the matter,” he said.

On Rakan Wira Mahir, Ti said it was an upskilling programme to give youths a head-start in skill-related work.

“We cannot be dependent on foreign workers for jobs that require skill. We do not want there to be a day when the blue-collar sector has to rely on foreign labour.

“We also have to let people understand that being a skilled worker is not being stuck in a stagnant field of work. They may start with lower pay but the ceiling is high. Ultimately, they can become entrepreneurs,” he said.