KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians must put an end to normalising physical abuse as a method to ensure or promote obedience and compliance, said Youth and Sports minister Hannah Yeoh.
Responding to a volleyball coach caught on video slapping two of his female teenage players, she said the issue here was not about gender, adding that it would have been wrong even if the players were boys.
"In fact, slapping anyone is wrong. Malaysians must stop normalising physical abuse as a means of behavioural compliance. Such action is wrong whether it is done to athletes, a spouse, children or maids.
"We must learn from this, improve and ensure that there is no repeat (of such incidents)," she said in a posting on Twitter.
The clip, which has been making its rounds on social media, showed a coach of the Melaka under-14 girls' volleyball team slapping two of his teenage players during the Under-14 Junior Volleyball Championship in Kota Tinggi. The competition took place between Dec 14 and 16.
The coach's action earned the wrath of many people, including Yeoh as well as her predecessor Datuk Ahmad Faizal Azumu.
Earlier today, Wanita PKR urged the authorities to investigate the incident.
The wing through its legal bureau said it views the incident seriously and deemed the matter as unscrupulous towards minors.
"Wanita PKR is seriously looking into the matter and condemns the action, which is a criminal offence under Section 323 of the Penal Code.
"An independent and thorough investigation must be conducted by the police, including the Sports and Youth Minister, the Education Minister as well as related sports organisations.
"This is to ensure the victims get justice, and for other coaches to learn from the incident," it said in a statement.
"Guaranteed protection should be provided to the victims so similar issues won't be covered up by any party," it said.
Melaka state exco for youth development, sports and non-governmental-organisation VP Shanmugam said the coach had apologised to his players and parents over the matter on the day of the incident.
Yesterday, the Malaysia Volleyball Association announced that it had suspended the coach.