Responding to the Paralympic Games’ announcement of the official results of the men’s shot put, Khairy said the decision to disqualify Ziyad was “disgraceful” and went against the very spirit of the Paralympics.
“This is a shameful decision. An absolute disgrace that goes against the spirit of the Paralympics,” he said in a Twitter post.
“If it was a call room violation you should not have allowed them to compete in the first place. Mean-spirited and petty. A stolen gold medal and world record,” said the current health minister.
Astro Arena reported that Ziyad’s disqualification followed a protest from the Ukrainian athlete after the event was over that the Malaysian was among three shot putters who were late to the call room before the event started.
The Ukrainian athlete, Maksym Koval, was then awarded the gold instead.
The Malaysian team has submitted an appeal over the protest, which is being discussed by the organising authorities. A decision is expected later tonight, said Astro.
Other netizens were equally confused and disgruntled by Ziyad’s disqualification, insisting that the Malaysian should not have been allowed to take part in the event in the first place, if he had broken the rules.
They also questioned why Maksym had only submitted a protest after the event was over, rather than earlier on.
The MP for Muar Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also joined the chorus of criticisms, describing it as a shameful and disappointing decision.
“Why would you allow Ziyad to participate after the alleged call room violation? This is unacceptable,” he said in a Twitter post.
National gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi also tweeted, saying: “This is so unfair, so unprofessional and unsportsmanlike.”
Twitter user @pudynzayn supported the Malaysian contingent’s decision to appeal the disqualification, saying it was a must to fight for it to be revoked.
“We have to fight. Our gold, our pride. I hope it turns out in Ziyad’s favour. This is four years’ worth of effort,” he said.
Meanwhile, newly sworn-in youth and sports minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the Malaysian team was still in discussion with the technical delegate, joined by the Australian and Ecuadorian teams who also submitted counter-protests.
Later, in a tweet, Faizal said the counter-protests by Malaysia, Australia and Ecuador will be raised at the chef de mission meeting tomorrow.