PETALING JAYA: Former world No.1 shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei expressed regret over the racist remarks made by ex-national trainee Bong Guang Yik on social media.
On his Facebook page, Lee said that sports uphold respect and reject racism.
“In pursuit of fame, don’t tarnish the harmony that was built over the decades.
“Just think of him (Bong) as one of the bad apples,” said the three-time Olympic Games silver medallist.
Lee also thanked Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh’s wisdom in tackling the issue swiftly.
In a video on TikTok, Bong had touched on racial and religious sensitivities, which he alleged to have been the cause behind the country’s players bad performance in the Malaysian Open 2023.
He has since apologised for the remarks made.
In response to the issue, Yeoh condemned the remarks made by the former national trainee.
On Monday (Feb 13), she tweeted that Bong no longer lives in Malaysia, and was only a trainee in 2014.
“I completely condemn his racially and religiously-charged speech despite the apology he issued,” Yeoh said.
It is learnt that Bong is currently coaching in China.