KAJANG: The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and the National Sports Council (MSN) have never neglected the welfare of the country's two former para-athletes who recently claimed they did not receive adequate assistance from the government.
National Athletes' Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) chairman Datuk Noorul Ariffin Abdul Majeed said the two former athletes, P. Mariappan (powerlifting) and Faridul Masri (athletics) who now live in the capital, could likely be facing high living costs, and hence felt the assistance received was insufficient.
"We are a little disappointed because Yakeb and MSN have helped Mariappan to get the Olympic or Paralympic Fixed Incentive Scheme of RM2,000 a month (since 2015).
"Faridul was offered a job with MSN recently, and it is hoped that he will accept the offer," he said at a press conference today.
Noorul Ariffin said this after attending a ceremony to hand out donations to 15 former national athletes organised by Sahabat Infaq Malaysia and Heart of Petroleum Economics Social Club (HOPE) at a restaurant in Bangi near here.
Mariappan's plight was featured in a video published by a media portal based in New York, USA, which was posted on Youtube on April 7, while a local portal published a story about Faridul on Thursday (April 15).
Mariappan, 63, claimed that the government had not helped him after his retirement in 2012, while Faridul, 40, who previously enjoyed an achievement allowance of RM2,000 per month for active athletes, said he did not have a fixed income after being dropped by MSN in 2018 due to his age factor.
Mariappan was the first national athlete to win a medal at the Paralympic Games by collecting a bronze medal in the 1988 edition in Seoul, South Korea, while Faridul has won many medals including gold at the ASEAN Para Games and the Asian Para Games.
Meanwhile, Noorul Ariffin described the passing of former shooting champion Datuk Sabiamad Abdul Ahad who is also the patron of Sahabat Infaq Malaysia and a former board member of Yakeb, as a great loss to national sports as he had contributed much to ensure the welfare of former athletes.
Sabiamad, who died of a heart attack on April 10, had represented the country at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. He began his career as a national shooting athlete in 1981 before retiring in the early 1990s.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sun Apr 18 2021

The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and the National Sports Council (MSN) have never neglected the welfare of the country's two former para-athletes who recently claimed they did not receive adequate assistance from the government. -- BERNAMA

Clarification on the investment in Sapura Energy by MDH
Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) as the existing significant shareholder of SEB.

Floods recede in Beaufort, but residents remain wary of downstream water flow
While floods in Beaufort are receding, residents remain on alert for downstream water flow that could bring floodwaters from inland areas.

Govt to ensure establishment of SEGiM aligns with introduction of Gig Workers Bill
The government intends to ensure that the establishment of the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) is in line with the introduction of the Gig Workers Bill.

UK steel industry warns of damage as Trump tariffs come into force
US President Donald Trump's tariffs on UK steel "couldn't come at a worse time," the industry has warned as the levy on US imports is introduced, reported PA Media/dpa news.

Penang allocates RM49.45 million for Phase 1 of i-Sejahtera Programme
The Penang government has allocated RM49.45 million for 274,151 recipients under Phase 1 of the i-Sejahtera Programme this year.

PM Anwar calls on all parties to be agents of unity, help unite people of different races
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all Malaysians to join hands to become agents of unity and assist the MADANI Government in its efforts to unite all Malaysians

Women representation in senior management fall to 36.2 pct in 2025
The Grant Thornton Women in Business Report reveals a concerning decline in the representation of women in senior management positions in Malaysia.

Singapore Airlines prohibits usage, charging of power banks from April 1
Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers will not be allowed to use power banks or charge them throughout their flight effective April 1.

Captain of cargo ship arrested over fatal collision in North Sea
The cargo ship captain involved in the North Sea's deadly collision has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

No plans to follow us in repatriating illegal immigrants - KDN
For the period up to March 9 this year, the total number of deportations from Immigration depots was 9,199 people.

Air pollution responsible for nearly 7 million deaths annually worldwide
A report by the World Air Quality Index indicated that only 17 per cent of cities worldwide meet the recommended air quality standards.

At least 137 Gazans killed in Israeli attacks since ceasefire
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor , Israel has been killing an average of seven Palestinians every two days.

Malaysia strengthens semiconductor supply chain with ASEAN member countries - Liew
Malaysia does not intend to compete with neighbouring countries or other ASEAN member states in its efforts to strengthen supply chains.

Six men arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil in Semenyih
Six men, including five foreigners in their 30s, were arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil.

Hamas says new round of Gaza ceasefire talks has begun
expressing optimism that the talks could lead to "tangible progress"

Ukraine says ready to accept 30-day ceasefire with Russia
Ukraine conveyed its readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as delegations from Kyiv and Washington met in Saudi Arabia.

Musk's SpaceX agrees Starlink cooperation with Airtel in India
Tech billionaire Elon Musk plans to enter the Indian internet market with his Starlink satellite system, reported German news agency dpa.

Trump announces higher steel and aluminium tariffs for Canada
US President Donald Trump plans to impose additional high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada.
![[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress [COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-03/81741686561_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress
Promoting Malay language doesn't mean disparaging or undermining other languages, we can uplift it without diminishing others.

What is driving the bloodshed in Syria?
The violence has pitted the Islamist-led government's security forces against fighters from Assad's Alawite minority.