KUALA LUMPUR: Social media users have criticised Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh over an Instagram post praising Thai badminton ace Kunlavut Vitidsarn who beat national shuttler Lee Zii Jia in the Paris Olympics.
Kunlavut beat Zii Jia in the semifinals of the men's singles event. Zii Jia went on to win bronze in the third-place match while Kunlavut had to settle for silver after losing to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen.
Yesterday, Yeoh posted a photo of her with Kunlavut and congratulated him on winning silver.
"I enjoy his style of badminton so much. So calm and collected. He has a new fan in me!"
Her post drew brickbats from social media users who felt it was inappropriate.
User fzeyma92 said Yeoh's post was insensitive.
"Is this how a youth and sports minister acts? Not patriotic at all. This is not the time for you to show your cute side fangirling other players."
Others said her post was tone-deaf, while some like smn_88 said it was inappropriate.
"You are a minister, representing Malaysia. If you are a regular person, it's okay. Please delete."
However, some also defended Yeoh.
Fionashinyee said the post simply celebrates sportsmanship and friendship.
"I see only grace and grandeur. So much to learn from a post that's so neutral, real and human."
Another, alanafields4566 said there was nothing wrong with the post as sports was about respecting one's opponents.
Yeoh's post of Kunlavut followed an earlier post featuring a photo of her and Zii Jia.
In that post, Yeoh congratulated Zii Jia on winning the bronze medal.
She also said discussions on Zii Jia being with he association versus being independent can wait another day.
"Can we as a nation just pause for now and celebrate the fact that this young man has come a long way, picked himself up and now made it to the Olympics podium?"
NST has reached out to Yeoh for comment.