KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei's recent appointment as tourism ambassador for Sabah has been questioned by many Sabahans, who feel that it will be better for a local to represent them.
However, actress and television host Daphne Iking, who hails from Keningau, Sabah, begged to differ.
The 43-year-old artiste said that Lee, from Bukit Mertajam, Penang, was a world famous Malaysian sportsman, and had fans throughout the country, including Sabahans.
"I understand that many locals are upset and saying, 'why not a Sabahan?'
"In my honest opinion, there is nothing wrong with that. I don't take offence in his appointment, as he is a national icon," said Daphne in a recent tweet.
She added: "Sabah attracts many Chinese, Taiwanese, South Korean and Japanese visitors every year, so it makes a lot of sense for an international Malaysian icon like Datuk Lee Chong Wei to be chosen as our tourism ambassador."
While Netizens, regardless of state, continued to insist that it was better for a true Sabahan to serve as the state's tourism ambassador, many agreed with Daphne that Lee was a good choice.
Naj said: "Of course if I were a native of Sabah I would want a celebrity from my home state to be my tourism ambassador. However, Chong Wei is a much-loved icon with fans all over the country, and I agree with Daphne that he will do a good job."
Hail said: "Well said, Daphne. Chong Wei is a Malaysian icon, so it does not matter which state picks him as tourism ambassador."
Lee, 39, was chosen by the Sabah state government as tourism ambassador on Oct 27.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Arifin said that the former world badminton champion would serve as ambassador from October 2021 to December 2022.
Jafry said: "Chong Wei was chosen because of his global reputation through his remarkable performances especially in the East Asian region."
He added that Lee could help Sabah tourism recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and propel the state's tourism industry to greater heights in the next two years.