'Be a critic but don't be lazy with your facts,' Hannah Yeoh's pol-sec lambasts MCA Youth's Neow over FAM issue

Focus Malaysia

3 days ago

YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh's political secretary Yap Yee Vonne has slammed MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong for calling for the minister's resignation over recent internal football issues.
In a statement on Facebook, Yap stressed that Yeoh has never abandoned her responsibilities and has always respected the principle of autonomy for sports bodies, which is in line with the Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) and International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) statutes that prohibit political interference in the management of associations.
For context, Article 4 of the FAM Statute mandates that FAM shall remain independent and avoid any undue political interference. FAM shall manage its affairs independently and ensure its operations are not influenced by any third party.
Meanwhile, Article 14 (1)(i) of FIFA Statute mandates that member associations have the obligation to manage their affairs independently and ensure that their affairs are not influenced by any third party, in accordance with Article 19 of this Statute.
According to Article 19 of the FIFA Statute, which touches on the independence of member associations and their bodies, states that each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from any third party.
'However, Neow's statement seems to suggest that the minister should also be the team manager, coach and psychological advisor all in one, maybe even an athlete,' Yap said sarcastically.
'If everything needs to be solved by the Minister, we might as well dissolve all associations and hand everything to Putrajaya.'
Implementing policies
On Monday (June 23), Neow advised Yeoh to resign from her ministerial position for allegedly failing to play her role as the leader of the ministry, especially in helping to resolve alleged internal issues including political elements in the national football squad.
He further said that as the Youth and Sports Minister, Yeoh's role is not just to appear when celebrating victories but also to help resolve the numerous challenges and crises faced by certain teams including providing the necessary support.
Refuting this, Yap said the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) have been consistently implementing policies and providing support that create long-term impact.
'We work closely with sports associations, providing funding and assistance across all levels‒from grassroots development to elite performance,' she stated.
'Through strategic collaboration with agencies such as Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia (PSM), the National Sports Institute (NSI) and the National Sports Council of Malaysia (MSN), we deliver programmes, facilities and professional support services that empower athletes and elevate Malaysian sports.'
Yap went on to outline a key reform introduced by Yeoh in the form of paid contracts for Podium athletes under MSN, now inclusive of contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) as of January 1, 2024.
'While it may seem like a basic provision, this marks the first time such a step has been taken under the Madani government,' Yap pointed out.
Recent achievements
Yap said while there will always be challenges in the sports sector, Neow seems to overlook recent achievements of the Malaysian contingent, among them the men's doubles title at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) and world champion title by Malaysian bowlers in international tenpin bowling.
'In all these sports, we were not there to carry the trophies but KBS and its agencies were there every step of the way to provide support,' Yap emphasised.
She said to dismiss these achievements by claiming that there has been a lack of progress by the Malaysian contingent is not only inaccurate but also deeply unfair to the dedication and the hard work of the nation's athletes.
'By all means be a critic, but don't be lazy with your facts. If your intention is merely to craft a political stunt, maybe you should start with a more principled campaign,' she told Neow.
'My advice: if you don't understand sports governance structures, it's better to stay silent.' ‒ June 27, 2025
Main image: Youth and Sports Ministry