KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) encourages national athletes to wear Syariah-compliant clothing while participating in any competitions or tournaments, however, there is no compulsion for them to do so, says its minister, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
He said it was up to the athletes and associations to decide on the issue, and KBS would support their respective choices.
"KBS's stance is that we will support them without coercion. If we look at it in terms of performance, athletes and associations know what's best for them," he said during a question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat, today.
"In this regard, the ministry will continue to discuss with them (on clothing choice), as we are confident that Malaysians will continue to support our athletes, no matter how they choose to dress," he said in response to Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PAS-Setiu), who wished to know the ministry’s plans on introducing Syariah-compliant clothing for all domestic and international sporting activities and competitions.
Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq said the ministry assured there would be no discrimination against athletes who wore Syariah-compliant clothes when participating in domestic and international competitions.
"We will bring this resolution and express our voice through the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," he said in response to a supplementary question from Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa ), who wished to know if athletes could choose not to compete if they weren’t allowed to wear Syariah-compliant clothing.
— BERNAMA
