Under-fire DAP rep says sorry to Chong Wei
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — The DAP’s M. Manoharan took to Twitter today to apologise to Datuk Lee Chong Wei for his insensitive remarks about the badminton ace during Sunday’s Olympic final against China’s Lin Dan, minutes after he was publicly chastised by his party secretary-general.
“I deeply regret the comments I have made and tender my heartfelt apologies to Dato’ Lee Chong Wei and his family,” the Kota Alam Shah state assemblyman posted on his Twitter account @mmanoADUN about 12.30pm.
“I sincerely hope my apology will be accepted,” he added.
Manoharan (picture) was roundly rebuked by Lim Guan Eng for making “grossly insensitive remarks” about Malaysia’s No. 1 badminton player at a news conference in George Town this morning.
Lim, who is Penang chief minister, said the party felt very disappointed with Manoharan’s comments.
“We feel very disappointed with these grossly insensitive remarks coming from Mano. He does not represent DAP.
“He is practically alone in the party for making such comments,” Lim told reporters in Penang.
Lim said he agreed with views that sports should be separated from politics, “and that is why in Penang we do not hold any positions in sports associations.”
The chief minister added that his administration would also be awarding Penang-born Lee with RM100,000 for his achievement in being the first Malaysian to win two Olympic silver medals.
The DAP has come under pressure after Manoharan’s remarks on Twitter, with the controversy threatening the party’s popularity among urban voters seen as its most ardent supporters.
Manoharan, a DAP assemblyman in Selangor, had appeared to criticise Lee and linked his defeat to Barisan Nasional (BN) rule in a series of tweets following the match that attracted widespread condemnation.
“Malaysia will win its first GOLD Medal in Olympics after Pakatan takes over Putrajaya.
“Najib, whatever monetary reward promised for Chong Wei, please give it to the poor boy Lin Dan.
“LIN DAN wins. He played better than Lee Chong AWAY,” the outspoken politician had said in his remarks on Twitter.
Yesterday, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang hailed Lee as a national hero and recommended that the federal government make him “Sportsperson of the Decade” in what is seen as remarks designed to control the fallout from Manoharan’s remarks.
Earlier this morning, Kit Siang also took to Twitter to say that Manoharan would apologise for his remarks.
Lee arrived home here this morning and received a rousing welcome from a sea of fans at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
