The politics of threats and coercion should cease in tandem with the New Malaysia principles, said Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

In expressing his concern over this brand of politics, he added: “This is the New Malaysia. I think it (politics of threats and coercion) is over.”

Syed Saddiq was speaking at a news conference after the Wheel Walk Fun Run event held in conjunction with the national-level Hari OKU (Persons with Disabilities Day) 2018 and Tambah Emas programme, launched by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He was asked to comment on the allegation that senator Bob Manolan Mohd had threatened the Orang Asli tok batin (village chiefs) that they would not get their salary if they refused to support the federal government.

Syed Saddiq said he is also on the same page with PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng that the tok batin will continue to be paid even if they do not support the federal government.

Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq said the Home Ministry will answer the query from the Sarawak Sports Ministry on the government’s decision to forbid the entry of Israeli athletes for the World Para Swimming Championships 2019 in Kuching.

“The official letter in response to the query from the Sarawak Sports Ministry will come from the Home Ministry and we (Youth and Sports Ministry) will then inform the International Paralympic
Committee on the matter,” he added.

Last Thursday, Dr Mahathir said the Malaysian government would stick to its decision of not allowing athletes from Israel to participate in the World Para Swimming Championships to be held from July 29 to Aug 4 in Kuching. — Bernama