PARALYMPIC Council of Malaysia (PCM) president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin believes that Koh Lee Peng's decision to be independent by selling small items on the street should not be frowned upon.
The former national para-swimmer's story went viral recently after she was spotted peddling tissue pouches, which she makes herself, as well as other items in Kuala Lumpur.
This angered the public, who felt that the seven-time Asean Para Games gold medallist, who is actually based in Bukit Mertajam, deserved better considering her achievements.
Shahriman, however, said Lee Peng's efforts to be self sufficient should be praised.
He would be happy to assist if she is interested in taking her business to the next level.
"I am truly amazed by her, and the choices that she has made are clear. I totally understand that she wants to be independent as an entrepreneur," said Shahriman yesterday.
"I believe she has tried other things (jobs) but is more comfortable doing her own thing, in this case, selling items on the street.
"There is nothing wrong with what she is doing. For example, many members of the Malaysian Association for the Blind are also selling tissues.
"They are not stealing from anyone. They are earning an honest living and are happy with what they do.
"They are adults with children and families who they raise on their own, and they know their responsibilities, so we have to respect that. Many of them do not want to rely on handouts.
"At PCM, our (phone) lines are open, and they (athletes) are welcome to contact any of our executive committee members, who are handling the welfare of athletes. We have several programmes, including scholarships for further studies.
"But in a personal capacity, as the chairman of the National Entrepreneur Foundation, I can do my best to assist in terms of helping her develop her business if she wants. She can call me directly if she is interested."
Recent reports state that Lee Peng had turned down assistance from The National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) in recent years as she wanted to be independent.
Shahriman stressed that national athletes, regardless of how successful they are, must plan out their career path, including what they aim to do once they have retired from competitive sports.
"We can organise all sorts of entrepreneurship programmes, but if the athletes do not want to participate, there is not much we can do about it," said Shahriman.
"We will end up having the same problems, and the media will be playing up the same old stories.
"Athletes need to plan what they are going to do once they have retired and must manage what they have won (prizes and incentives) carefully. "I recently helped Ziyad Zolkefli open his new noodle shop. I believe he is a good example which other athletes can follow.
"Despite being quite well off as an athlete, he is taking the right steps to secure his future once he has retired."
Shot putter Ziyad received RM1 million in cash incentives and gets RM5,000 monthly from the government after winning gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.