KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has hit back at former minister Khairy Jamaluddin for telling her she needs to be more proactive instead of passing the buck over Malaysia's performance in the recent Paris Olympics.
In an Instagram post, Yeoh said Khairy seemed to imply that she should interfere in the affairs of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
However, she said OCM has complete independence and autonomy to develop, promote and protect Malaysia's Olympic movement, in line with the Olympic Charter.
"As a former lawyer and speaker (for the Sekangor Assembly), I understand the concept of separation of powers and respecting institutional boundaries.
"I stand by my conviction and will defend what I believe is right. Doing so is not 'tai chi' (passing the buck). It is called good governance," she said.
Yeoh said the OCM constitution states that it must resist any outside pressure that may prevent it from complying with the Olympic Charter.
Any breach of the charter, she added, would see OCM losing funding it receives from the International Olympic Committee.
There was also the possibility of Malaysia being banned from competing in IOC-sanctioned events.
"Don't mistake my silence for weakness. My apologies, as I just do not have time to sit on massage chairs and do podcasts. Lots to do to improve sports and empower youth. Back to work," she said.
Yeoh was reacting to Khairy's comments on the latest episode of his joint podcast, Keluar Sekejap, where her predecessor had told Yeoh to be more proactive and dare to take on national sporting associations, instead of acting like a "tai chi minister".