Farah Ann controversy: Don't kick up a fuss over small matter - CENBET

Quibbling over a winning gymnast’s attire or the dress code for counter service in government agencies distracts us from the core issues in nation-building. The more important issues would be service quality in the government; ways to raise sporting standards or accountability in government-linked companies, just to name a few.

The criticisms leveled at SEA Games gold medalist gymnast, Farah Ann Abdul Hadi over her supposed inappropriate attire and against the Road Transport Department over an overzealous attempt to implement its dress code are symptoms of extremism creeping into our public sphere.

Such elements have become more pronounced over the years.

They spread their influence by way of legislative reforms and administrative measures or so-called guidelines.

While going back to the roots of any religious teaching is laudable, this should not be used as a cloak for deliberate misinterpretation of faiths for sectarian or even political agendas.

Doing so enhances extremism and makes us lose sight of the forests for the trees. CENBET which promotes moderation views this with dismay.

Take Farah Ann’s case. Instead of congratulating her for winning the gold medal, some of us saw it fit to rain criticisms on her. Did these people think of the impact on her morale in future tournaments or how it would affect the development of talented gymnasts who had aspired for greater heights?

Did they think how it would affect the sport as a whole? Why didn’t anyone say the same thing about national bodybuilder Sazali Samad who won the Mr Universe title 10 times? Or are they going after him next?

As a former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, I am worried about such developments. Clearly some of us may not be aware – or choose not to know – that only certain attire is appropriate for certain sports.

READ: Gymnast Farah fires back at critics

The demand for female-only stadium and barring of men in a female-only netball tournament last August in Kelantan, were recent examples of extremism stunting the progress of sports.

Having said that, sports is not the only area impacted by over-zealousness in some of us. It cuts across the entire spectrum of our society. At a time when we are faced with growing economic challenges and a shrinking world brought by advent of technology, we should get our priorities right. We can start by not allowing extremism take hold and derail what we have achieved and what we set out to do.