By Dr. Chen Man Hin
The whole nation is happy and proud that Lee Chong Wei battled his way in the Beijing Olympics and won a silver medal in badminton.
He has won honour and glory for Malaysia, and though we are a small country, we have people like Lee Chong Wei to strive hard and win a medal despite intense competition from bigger countries.
We must not forget that behind every athlete’s success, there is the guiding hand of the coach. The man behind Lee Chong Wei’s success is Misbun Sidek, the national badminton coach.
Misbun was also the coach who guided Hafiz Hashim to win the All England badminton triumph in 2003.
Misbun is the ideal Malaysian who rises above race or color and gives his experience and expertise to ensure that Lee Chong Wei would succeed. They worked as a team, a Malaysian team, with nary a thought of race.
It is the combination and co-operation of Lee Chong Wei’s skill and Misbun Sidek’s coaching that clinched the silver medal for Malaysia.
It is an inspiring example for all to follow – that Malaysians should work together to achieve success.
The lesson for Malaysians is to be united as one, irrespective of whatever race we may be.
With Unity and Solidarity, guided by the Ketuanan Rakyat philosophy, we can conquer the world.
#1 by AhPek on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 6:53 pm
Moderator, Why do you put it back? Don’t feel bad if you have to!!!
#2 by stephanella on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 6:57 pm
I agree that Misbun and Chong Wei set a good example of how they put aside the racial differences, work together and even treat each other as a family. However, i don’t think Misbun is the only coach who help Chong Wei to improve his game. Credit should be given to other coaches as well. If Misbun is going to receive a datukship as well, what about other coaches who helped Chong Wei before? Is it fair to discredit their contribution?
I think the timing of awarding the high achiever atletes is too early while they are still active in sport. It will be better to give them the title after they retired as it will be more useful for them then…
#3 by k1980 on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 7:17 pm
Something fishy is going on:
“I was told the money officials claimed to have discovered in a bag was actually put there by some other individuals, so this smells of entrapment,” …”It is impossible for the two executive council members who have been victimised to approve the project when it does not even exist,” he told the New Straits Times.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/370331/1/.html
#4 by Vidya Young on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 7:37 pm
I have been visiting this site only since Jan 2008 and have contributed on a couple of occasions. But forgive me if this is a premature observation.
Conspicuous in its absence is the fact that our comments and questions are not being answered, neither by YB Lim nor the moderator/admin. I sometimes wonder if our comments are being read at all.
Would it not be nice if either YB Lim or the moderator/admin occasionally gave his own observation on a comment, or answered a question posed, or even chastised a commentator here? It need not be lengthy.
Pardon me YB, my humble self is earnest to see better interaction here.
#5 by Dr_Albert_Schweitzer on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 8:15 pm
Both Lee Chong Wei & Misbun Sidek represent Malaysia’s new hope & future for a non-racial Malaysia. This is the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat. For Misbun Sidek you hopefully are a symbol of a new Malay not a crippled , spineless & parasitical Bumi bred by UMNO Putras. Your brains & mindset as well as soul will be freed & not imprisoned by the racist policies of the UMNO Putras
#6 by milduser on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 8:16 pm
Well said Dr Chen. We should treat one another as individuals and our skin color will disappear automatically. If we focus on the problem, the objective or the cause, we will be united to achieve more for the country in terms of honor and well being.
#7 by StevePCH on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 8:53 pm
Well … Misbun rightly deserve a Datukship too.
I really think Misbun is also a true Malaysian Hero like what many expressed.
He went through a lot as a player and as a coach, I think he is doing wonderful !!!
Like what many had commented, he broke the racial barriers and coach all very well regardless of race. like Mew Choo , Choon Hann , the doubles team.
Yes … I agree with Ketuanan Rakyat !!! Rakyat owns Malaysia !!! not Malays or Indians or Chinese and other minorities.
True enough also, PR assemblymen in Silver State has fallen into a trap. When BeEnd mentioned PR govt will fall by 31st August, they have already plotted something and guess what !!!
#8 by Dr.Mohan on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 10:12 pm
I think awarding LCW at this stage is setting a bad precedent.I would think the reward should be increased to RM 500,000.Yes LCW put Malaysia on the Olympic feats but so did cheah Soon Kit and his pair though a bronze.The title should havecome later in his career as in the case of Ng.Boon Bee.But were Tan Aik Mong and Tan Aik Hong duly rewarded?
#9 by ktteokt on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 10:17 pm
Soon we have AAB as the Menteri Serbaguna and “Qian Shou Guan Yin (Guan Yin with a Thousand Hands) in Malaysia. Might as well bubarkan kabinet since we have such a capable PM, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Finance and probably Minister of Transport! Let him assume this Menteri Serbaguna function and perhaps even privatize (or piratize) his Department to be Kementerian Serbaguna Malaysia Berhad!
#10 by ktteokt on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 10:20 pm
We may soon have a Malaysian BREW which is better than Carlsberg Special Brew – consisting of politics, money, business, religion, sports, space travel and whatever you can think of. Wow! This sure will bring a kick to drinkers! Malaysia Boleh (Mabuk)!
#11 by swipenter on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 10:21 pm
LCW did not ask for anything. The monetary rewards were there for anyone who perform in the Olympics. The datukship was conferred on him after the fact. Dont bash him for that and stop belittling the datukship. Not all datuks are not deserving of the title.
Yes due recognition should be given to Misbun too for his contribution to Malaysian badminton. A silver is a silver and a gold a gold but both of them (and others invovled) must have put their best foot forward to get an olympic medal for the country. Be proud of their achievements and magnanimous.
#12 by cemerlang on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 10:41 pm
Wise man Naziran remembers this quote ” Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” The badminton sport in Malaysia has seen its’ ups and downs. It is indeed a great feat for everybody directly and indirectly to be involved in this badminton sports. Comparatively, China cares more for her sportspeople than Malaysia does. Each time a Malaysian wins, just know that the government helps only a little. The people in China spend years continuously in training. Their government cooperates because they know how important it is to win. Winning means respect. Their minds are already geared towards not just entering the competition but also to win.* sigh * If Malaysia can be like China.
#13 by One4All4One on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 11:03 pm
A recognition in the name of sports would be more appropriate.
A “datukship” does not reflect the reason for the award. On the other hand a specific award in the name of sport, in this case, would refer to the feat in the proper perspective.
Seems like there is a craving for “datukships”.
We should be advocating passion and endeavour for achievement in all fields, with or without the reward of “honours”.
Just a suggestion: Leave “datukship” for more senior citizens who have contributed greatly to society and nation.
#14 by limkamput on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 11:09 pm
I put this earlier in an earlier thread:
“Tribal people are not our teachers. Because they gave Datoship to Malaysia’s spaceman@”can-or-not”, we must also give datoship to Nicole and LCW. I think this is stupid. It all boils down to desperate politicians desperately wanting to share some limelight no matter how ridiculous the acts may be.
Sport is now a vocation. If sportmen and women achieve greatness, it is well and good. I don’t not see the need for special award or consideration each time they achieve something. That is what million of people in other professions accomplish everyday. If a sport man spends his lifetime trying to put a ball into a hole, how is he different from a carpenter doing his job in terms of accomplishment? We have too many stupid people around paying too much to this group of fellows whose contribution to the world is at most “entertaining”.
#15 by One4All4One on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 11:22 pm
A “datukship” is an award to show recognition for contributions to society and/or nation.
But sadly the award had been widely abused for personal glorification and selfish interests such as in business sector and dealings with the government offices/officials.
Can there be any rule made to disallow and prevent such abuse from occurring? The award should come with conditions and a reminder that it is not a licence to do as one wishes.
An award is an honour and recognition, Just that.
#16 by AhPek on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 11:47 pm
Mr. Moderator, I certainly cannot get to comprehend how in the context of what is written ‘DAP’s decision to join the fray to make …of Lee Chong Wei’ the word (which is neither a foul word nor an abusive one.it has also been used in this blog) can be I am sorry but that contrued as inflicting offence to this young man.Rightly construed it is a very strong criticism against DAP’s judgement and that is exactly what it is.I am sorry but that is what it is.
#17 by AhPek on Thursday, 21 August 2008 - 11:51 pm
Correction:”……………………………………….the word (……….) can be construed as inflicting offence to this young man.In fact if it is rightly construed it is a very strong criticism against DAP’s judgement and that is exactly what it is.”.
#18 by lhslhv on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 12:47 am
Watching at the news today about the plight of Misbun Sidek’s wife, I feel sad that the government has not recognised the effort and sacrifice he puts into training Lee Chong Wei.
He should be given enough monetary reward for him to look after his sick wife for the rest of her life.
Rather than wasting money in unproductive projects and monies that have been squandered through corruption, this money can be used for medical treatment of direct dependent of national sportsman.
#19 by HJ Angus on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 12:49 am
Aaahh ….. Politicians always take advantage of anything and everything to further their cause.
As a professional LCW knew about the RM300k and lifetime pension during the game and maybe the Chinese champ was simply too good.
I think Malaysian sports should cast a wider net at the younger students to discover more talent at a younger age and we should educate parents that if your child achieves fame, tertiary education can be done later.
You can see that many poorer countries than Malaysia are producing superior athletes. Some of those Africans look as if they are starving!
In Malaysia I think our staple diet is not good for sports.
#20 by undergrad2 on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 12:55 am
““If a sport man spends his lifetime trying to put a ball into a hole, how is he different from a carpenter doing his job in terms of accomplishment? ” limkamput
A carpenter can scr*ew.
#21 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 11:05 am
so far, in the summer olympic, the total medals won by malaysia since its olympic debut in 1956 are only 2 slivers and 2 bronzes.
The best thing is, the 2 silvers (including LCW’s) were won by Malaysian Chinese….
if LCW was to be coached by a chinese coach (malaysian chinese or mainland chinese), malaysia may had won the gold instead of the silver….
#22 by HJ Angus on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 11:55 am
cina
what a racist remark!
I think we had an Indonesian coach for badminton but he didn’t stay long.
Misbun is having success as a coach after some initial problems earlier on.
I understand many athletes from Africa train in Germany for table-tennis – the Nigerian who lost to the Korean yesterday gave a good fight to the Korean who was ranked 100 above him.
We think of building sports complexes ala Bricks abroad! That RM10m in sunk costs could have been spent on a few months special training for some of our top athletes.
#23 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 12:43 pm
HJ Angus,
Malaysia was forced to engage such coach.
He is not up to the mark and other countries have no interest to engage him as coach.
If LCW has a Chinese coach (Malaysian Chinese or mainland Chinese), he may win the gold instead of silver……….
same like our football team, if other races are given the same attention, today, malaysia football won’t be that bad.
Last time, the selection of football players were based on talent and skill but nowadays the selection is based on colour and quota…… that’s why Singapore, Philippine and even Laos also can beat us in football……
that also explained why our hockey standard has deteriorated……
too much emphasis on skin colour and quota.
#24 by disapointed86 on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 12:49 pm
LCW deserve the title ok..bear in mind how many athletes have manage to get a medal in olympic..i think its not more than the fingers u have….
#25 by boilingmad on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 1:52 pm
Why are we so hung up on this datukship? I believe Honour and Respect are far more important than titles.
Both of them (for one cannot do without the other) deserve respect and honour. We should have a special dedication (not a title) to celebrate their victory. A special award of merit or something that is truly worthy of their effort.
I salute you both for bring pride to this frail nation. Thank you.
#26 by taiking on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 2:19 pm
Its good to see DAP supporters hammering DAP in here. Thats actually healthy. Unlike UMNO, no members of that party can even mutter half a word against the party.
Yes. Datukship for chong wei seems odd. To my mind it is odd because of the timing and not because of the award itself.
Chong wei has served the country well and has brought great pride to all of us. He actually deserves the honour just like nicole. The award to nicole certainly did not raise any eyebrow.
However unlike nicole, chong wei is caught in the middle of the PP by-election campaign. So all acts of either party would definitely be seen as a campaign move to woo voters and to win support.
So at the end of the day, like it or not, a badly timed decision is as good as a bad decision even if it is well intended. So DAP, careful there. In this country everthing can be politicised.
#27 by limkamput on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 2:30 pm
cina says: “if LCW was to be coached by a chinese coach (malaysian chinese or mainland chinese), malaysia may had won the gold instead of the silver….”
cina, you are the worst racist i have ever come across. You are disgrace to this blog.
#28 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 2:42 pm
limkamput aka limkaput,
you are the mother of hypocrite.
you are a real racist who always against the malays.
if LCW was to be coached by a chinese coach (malaysian chinese or mainland chinese), malaysia may had won the gold instead of the silver.
this is not a racist remark. This is reality as chinese is the world leader or world power in badminton. most top indo players are also chinese.
only those who are real racist (stupig)people like you will think such is statement racist.
#29 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 2:45 pm
limkaput,
pls go back to your farm, pls don’t dirty this blog….
#30 by antiracist on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 3:14 pm
sirrganass,
Agree with u..if this show how DAP can cooperate with Malays and Indian i will support DAP. BUT when i see comment from limkamput,cina and etc ( racist comment, read : only chinese are greatest in the world ) i think malaysian have wait 10 years more to build bangsa Malaysia.
#31 by HJ Angus on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 3:25 pm
“only those who are real racist (stupig)people like you will think such is statement racist.”
how to argue against such remarks?
In the heat of competition, anything is possible.
Look at how both the USA 4×100 relay teams who were favourites flunked. Bribery?
Another 10 or even 20 years we will still have racists – so please do decide on the parties as they are at present – there is no such perfection.
#32 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 4:26 pm
sirrganass,
“chinese is the world leader or world power in badminton. most top indo players are also chinese.”
this is not a racist remark, this is fact and reality.
“American is the world leader in Baskeball.” is also a fact and not racist remark.
only those who himself is racist will find such remarks racist.
4×100 relay is not like badminton, cannot afford any mistake.
In badminton, one can make few careless mistakes and still able to win at the end.
#33 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 4:27 pm
4×100m has no room for mistake, but badminton has.
#34 by limkamput on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 4:35 pm
Cina, you are not only a racist, you are the most moronic Chinese chauvinist in the world. Chinese are not naturally the world’s best badminton players. Is there a DNA for badminton, you moron? They have more people playing this game in China and they have a bigger pool of talents to choose from. Now, Cina, if you don’t understand what I am trying to tell you, please don’t bother to come back to me. Go to the zoo, this is where you rightly belong.
#35 by limkamput on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 4:37 pm
by the way, cina, you do not know what is fact and reality. The only reality you have is your moronic racist brain.
#36 by limkamput on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 4:40 pm
cina, what if i tell you if African Americans were to take up badminton in earnest, do you think they can beat the Chinese badminton players from China, Indonesia and Malaysia. You moron, period.
#37 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 5:06 pm
as long as UNMO and chinese schools still exist in malaysia, malaysian will continue to be very racist…..
#38 by limkamput on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 5:31 pm
Cina says: “as long as UNMO and chinese schools still exist in malaysia, malaysian will continue to be very racist…..”
May be you are right about UNMO. But surely you are wrong again on Chinese schools. I don’t know about you, many of us studied in English schools, does that make us English men? We can teach in Chinese schools about Malaysians, cosmopolitanism, inclusiveness, globalisation and other culture and languages. It is the idea, not the language, ok. Don’t insult Chinese schools again you phua tang sai. I came from one.
#39 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 5:33 pm
limkaput pls don’t that about what if,
the reality is china had won the most gold medals in badminton
the fact is chinese is still the best player in the world.
the mother of all realities is limkaput is the most absurd and retarded animal.
the fact is who let the stupig out again? limkamput or kaput, pls goes back to your barn…….
#40 by cina on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 5:39 pm
the fact is chinese schools are a racist school like UiTM,
that why this retarded limkaput is so racist as he is an animal from such school.
wasting my time talking to such retarded animal who are so racist.
“chou tau”
#41 by limkamput on Friday, 22 August 2008 - 5:56 pm
cina, i think you come from Timbuktu school. You can’t write proper English and I doubt you can write good Malay or Chinese. You are a typical moron devoid of even one single language. Real good for nothing phua tang sai.
#42 by parameswara on Saturday, 23 August 2008 - 12:45 am
In The Star there is a coverage of Lee CW going back to his hometown in Bt Mertajam, news about him getting a Datukship from the state government and getting his reward of RM 300K. Overall coverage is about half a page.
But is Lee CW’s trip so straightforward ?
Apparently not, and The Star (controlled by MCA) never reported this peculiar situation of the trip.
According to The Sin Chew daily, the leading Chinese newspaper controlled by a Sarawakian, there was more to the trip. The following is summarised from the reports in Sin Chew.
“Apparently Lee was supposed to fly back in the afternoon, landing at the Penang airport at 5 plus in the afternoon. The state’s CM Lim GE was supposed to go to the airport to welcome Lee. Then it was rumoured that Lee was taking the 1.00 flight. Lee’s elder brother and the state’s representative and the media rushed to the airport but Lee could not be seen.”
Lee’s elder brother got a call from Lee on the phone. Lee said ‘I am now inside a car. I am not sure what happened, and I can’t talk. Very sorry, it is against my will…:
—-Note: this phase of ‘it is against my will’ is not that explicitly said, but implied. The Chinese words used are ????—-
Apparently Lee was flown by an air force plane to the airport in Kelapa Batas in Kedah, and driven away. The media people also missed him. His whereabout was lost to his brother for a few hours. Later that day he was taken to a meet-the-fans session where the BN’s candidate in the Permatang Pauh by-election, Arif Shah was there.
Later he was taken to another place to receive his RM 300K cheque from the DPM. Both these places are in the constituency of Permatang Pauh while the Lee family home is in Bt Mertajam, outside the constituency.
Lee’s comment, ‘ I only come back to receive the money. Where they want to have it is beyond me. I also didn’t know Arif Shah is there. I am only a sportsman. I am not involved in politics…’
From the above description in Sin Chew, total coverage about 8 to 10 times that of The Star, we can see that Lee has become a pawn or a puppet in the political game. Poor Lee.
It also shows we have to doubt, again, the reporting of truth by The Star. Selective reporting.
A commentary in the same Chinese newspaper said it loudly,
‘leave him alone, please’
#43 by ctc537 on Saturday, 23 August 2008 - 4:32 pm
Congratulations! Lee Chong Wei and Misbun.
#44 by imranj78 on Saturday, 23 August 2008 - 11:39 pm
cina..
yes it is fact that China is a world power in Badminton. But the way you say it is inappropriate and can be construed as being racist. remember, sometimes its not always about what you write/say, how you do it is also important and on this matter you have got it wrong.
but one thing i must agree with you. chinese or tamil schools do not encourage integration. in that sense, they are as guilty as uitm in this matter. BN is wrong in maintaining this. If PR is serious about `Malaysian Malaysia’, all chinese and tamil schools should be closed and national schools should be strenghten to cater for all races. Don’t only ask the Malays to compromise their institutions (i.e. uitm, mara etc.), non-Malays also have to compromise some of their institutions.
#45 by limkamput on Saturday, 23 August 2008 - 11:57 pm
Imranj78@coconut head, did Chinese or Tamil schools forbid any race from joining the schools? Typical no brainer talking cock. Anyway, who cares really – a Malay racist talking to a moronic Chinese racist.
#46 by imranj78 on Sunday, 24 August 2008 - 10:27 pm
limkamput,
Please tell me which part of my post is racist? I beg you to please clarify as I believe you are the one who is a coconut head :) I never mentioned anything about Chinese and Tamil schools forbidding other races from joining those schools. Actually these schools are good but their time is up, similar to single race universities such as UITM.
I am a believer that for the concept of Malaysian Malaysia to be really achieved, a common education system for all the rakyat should be adopted. Isn’t this what we all want? True integration of all races. Isn’t that what we all want? Or is the concept of Malaysian Malaysia all talk only and requires only Malays to compromise on their institutions? I hope not.