Media Statement
by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): DAP congratulates 42 year-old businessman T. Ravichandran for being the first person from Malaysia and Asean to climb solo Mount Everest from the Tibet side. MIC should demand that the government honour T. Ravichandran’s feat as it is a Malaysian achievement that makes all Malaysians and not just Indians proud.

DAP express surprise why MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has said that only MIC will honour this success in scaling the world's highest peak solo. Instead of treating this as an Indian achievement MIC should ask the Malaysian government to do the necessary honours as Ravichandran is a Malaysian. Why should Samy be the first government Minister to react and not Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said which is under her jurisdiction?

In sports and athletes, only the best performer can bring glory to the country. Sportsmen from all countries and races know and accept this without question. The time has come for Malaysian government politicians and sports officials to accept this if Malaysia is to excel in sporting achievements.