Skip to main content

Commonwealth Games Security: Malaysia Holding On To India's Assurance

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is still holding on to the assurance given by the Indian government in regard to the safety and security of Malaysian athletes who will be competing in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next month, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

However, as an added precaution, he said the national contingent's 201 athletes and 95 officials would be accompanied by security officials from the Home Ministry.

"But this does not mean that the Malaysian government does not have confidence in the Indian government.

"We are just taking added precautions and all our officials will also be reminded to give more attention to security aspects," he told reporters after launching his ministry's Sports Industry Laboratory at the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex here Wednesday.

Shabery was asked to comment on the security of Malaysian athletes at the Games in the wake of the shooting incident outside the Jama Mosque last week in the Indian capital where two Taiwanese tourists were injured and Tuesday's incident in which 20 people sustained injuries after a footbridge leading to the Games village collapsed.

Besides terrorist threats, continues monsoon rains, the plague of corruption and delays in completion of Games infrastructure, the Indian media had also reported that dengue posed a serious threat with 1,900 cases recorded in New Delhi.

Ahmad Shabery said people should not solely focus on negative news but also look at the positive aspects, like the foreign media reporting about the satisfaction expressed by Australia's cricket team about the preparations for the Games.

"I believe India will redouble its efforts to ensure all security and safety aspects are taken care of as it involves their reputation, besides not wanting to be blacklisted as a country that is unsafe to host major sports meets.

"It is also possible the Opposition there are making a hue-and-cry about such issues because they want to topple the government in the next election," he said.

He added that some countries had sent advance survey teams to check the situation in New Delhi for themselves and did not dismiss the possibility that Malaysia might do the same.

The New Delhi Commonwealth Games will be held from Oct 3 to 14.

-- BERNAMA

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...

Chance to catch Messi and company

  FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...