It's not about the money, it's about principles and ethics.
That is the message squash player Low Wee Wern (pic) would like to stress, especially to the National Sports Council (NSC) following her exclusion from the Podium Programme recently without prior notice.
She pointed out that since her contract in the programme was with NSC and not with the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), the council should have had the decency to inform her directly.
Instead, the Penangite only found out about it from SRAM three weeks ago.
NSC director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi said ample notice was given to the dropped athletes and that NSC have been generous in their support of Wee Wern, who had to undergo a series of knee surgeries since 2014.
That, however, didn't sit well with Wee Wern who believes the full-time athletes deserved more respect.
"I can truly understand the need for budget cuts, especially with the pandemic that is still ravaging the country," she said.
"On top of that, the recent floods also hit the country hard, and government funds have to cover those affected.
"The sports sector is definitely taking a hit and I sincerely understand the situation. But does that mean that with no money, there's no respect also?
"There must be a sensible way around this going forward because as a professional, I have never abused the system and I have represented the relevant stakeholders to the best of my ability.
"NSC propagated professionalism by all athletes but on their end, a simple discussion was all that was required to discuss plans moving forward.
"I would have been fine getting dropped and I'm not arguing why this decision was made but it's the way it has been done."
And to put action to her words, Wee Wern also rejected a personal sponsorship offer from SRAM president Gerard Monteiro.
"Gerard, as SRAM president, took responsibility as being the bearer of bad news and he was equally quick to offer a sensible solution despite the sudden NSC decision.
"He was very respectful when doing so and I am very humbled by his generous offer.
"Gerard, however, has spent a lot of money, personally, to support not only players, coaches but also the staff at SRAM, and he is pivotal to SRAM at this point.
"I cannot accept his solution at his personal expense, because if I did, I will be setting a bad precedent of taking advantage of the situation."