PUTRAJAYA: Newly minted Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said she has no intention of going on a witch-hunt or introducing any new blueprint for the development of local sports, for now.
Instead, the 43-year-old Segambut Member of Parliament will focus on strengthening existing programmes, making sports accessible to all, and bettering the security and welfare of athletes.
Hannah clocked in officially today for her first day of work at the ministry's office in Putrajaya.
"For the first week, I will be briefed by the higher management of the ministry. After which, I want to meet the athletes to hear their wishlist for the coming term," said Hannah in her first press conference as the Youth and Sports Minister.
"First things first, I want to make sure that sports are accessible to all. Secondly, I want our athletes to have a safe space, third, to ensure the security and welfare of our athletes are well taken care of.
"I know that everyone is also wondering if I will introduce a new programme, but no, I don't have any intentions to introduce any new programme but to strengthen what we already have.
"Finally for the youth, it covers 17 other ministries. I will need to engage with them to work together and not in silos. My main topic for the youth is restoration and rehabilitation."
On the matter of National Sports Associations (NSAs) treating the Sports Ministry as the "go to place" for financial support. Hannah said: "Everybody wants enough budget. It's going to be challenging for every ministry because we know the financial aspect is always an issue.
"That is why I want to look at the current programmes and see how we can strengthen it. There may be savings or we might need to spend more. That is why I would like to meet the athletes to understand more, because they are the direct stakeholders."
As part of the country's Unity Government, Hannah pointed out that she is not interested in going on a witch-hunt.
"I am not here to punish anybody or go on a witch-hunt. If they can do their job and perform, then they can go ahead," said Hannah in reference to several NSA heads who are directly linked to political parties.