Hannah Yeoh urges Malaysian athletes to report online threats to police and MCMC, stressing mental health protection amid rising cyber abuse.
YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has called on Malaysian athletes to immediately lodge police reports if they receive threatening messages online, stressing that they should never suffer in silence.
She stated that reporting such incidents to both the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is crucial to ensure action is taken against those responsible, New Straits Times reported.
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“As professional athletes, they cannot run away from online criticism — performance is the main measure of their ability.
“If they win, they will be praised, but if they lose, they will certainly be criticised, and that is normal.
“But when the threats involve their safety, their lives, or their associations, I want to advise them to file a police report so that MCMC and the police can take further action,” she said.
She also reminded athletes to safeguard their mental health by avoiding social media, especially after competitions.
“If possible, don’t read social media. It can be very upsetting because, as I’ve said before, social media has both real and fake accounts.
“I advise them to reduce their time on social media so that their performance and emotions are not affected before matches. That’s important,” she added.
Her remarks came after the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) denounced a recent wave of abusive and threatening messages targeting national shuttlers.
BAM secretary-general Kenny Goh earlier urged fans to think rationally before making personal attacks against athletes, while BAM performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei appealed for more empathy and understanding from supporters.
Sports psychologist Philip Lew also warned that unchecked cyberbullying could drive athletes into isolation and depression, emphasising the need for stronger mental health support in Malaysian sports.
