Steven Sim (PH-Bukit Mertajam) had asked the deputy minister to respond to a claim by Penang executive councillor Soon Lip Chee that the Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan governments were not involved in National Sports Day celebrations.

Sim, who was a deputy minister when PH held power in Putrajaya, said this was a political move that went against the very spirit of “Keluarga Malaysia” and asked Ti to guarantee that this was not the ministry’s policy now.

Ti dismissed the claim, saying the ministry allocated RM21,000 for each state and RM8,000 for each district to implement National Sports Day programmes.

Sim again asked the deputy minister for a guarantee that PH state excos would be involved in the planning of these programmes, on top of being given the allocations.

“I will look into this issue,” said Ti, adding that sports should not be politicised. “As I said, we will involve all states and districts.”

Sim then said he would consider that as the deputy minister’s guarantee.

Earlier, Soon had issued a statement claiming he was informed that National Sports Day celebrations, scheduled for this Saturday, would not involve the three state governments, urging youth and sports minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu to respond.

Ti also said the ministry had not received any reports of gender discrimination against athletes, maintaining that it would ensure equal opportunity for women in sports.

Pointing out that 60% of the Malaysian contingent for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were women, he said there was no difference in rewards, incentives and allowances for male and female athletes.

However, he said the ministry was looking at making amendments to the Sports Development Act 1997, considering the direction of sports development in Malaysia.

“A holistic study will be conducted and the necessary amendments will be made,” he said, without going into detail.