Whether as a politician or a member of the government, the name Hannah Yeoh needs no introduction. Exactly one year ago, this Member of Parliament for Segambut took the helm of the Ministry of Youth and Sports as its Minister. In the beginning many were skeptical about her role because this ministry is synonymous with plenty of challenges and resistance, but she has come out of it the other end and proven to be strong and capable leader.
With her unique leadership style, she has made vast improvements in the quality of the ministry while successfully proving her critics wrong. Hannah focused on solving problems and strengthening initiatives and programs that impact the sports industry, grassroots, and of course the regular Malaysian citizens.
On her first day at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) she gave her promise to focus on five different frameworks; making sports accessible to all, providing safe space and conditions for athletes, athletes’ welfare, empowering existing programs, and youth aspects.
Hannah’s achievements can be seen through the success of these five frameworks and this was all done within a period of one year. Here is a list of her achievements and ministerial reforms that she has undertaken:
Safe Sports Code
The Safe Sports Code was launched as a guide and reference for the sporting community on the scope of safe sports and the clear and comprehensive responsibilities of the sports community. This code also provides and understanding on the types of misconduct that occur in sports based on international guidelines and local laws. This launch is evidence that Hannah Yeoh and her ministry are committed to ensuring that our sports environment is free from all forms of abuse and interference, thereby enhancing the country’s sports achievements internationally.
Town hall with athletes
Hannah and her team organised several town hall sessions with athletes and related stakeholders to gather complaints and suggestions about issues that needed attention and action from management and ministry. This town hall was seen as unusual because normally the ministry will receive reports from associations and leaders regarding such issues, not in the case with Hannah as she prefers to take a more hands-on approach in order to understand the problem at hand at a more personal level.
103 sports recognised by KBS
To encourage and celebrate more sporting talent in the country, the Ministry of Youth and Sports now recognises 103 sports Sports Development Order (First Schedule Amendment) 2023, compared to the previous 51 sports. Sports such as e-sports and combat sports are listed as recognized sports in the country.
Reducing bureaucracy through KBS Open Day
The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) aims to reduce bureaucracy and to streamline processes for event organisers in managing sports events through KBS Open Day. Through KBS Open Day, 14 service counters consisting of departments and agencies under KBS and several other ministries involved in approving sports event organizers will be available.. The KBS Open Day will be held on the first Friday of every month with the objective to boost sports event organisation and to contribute to the economic development in the sports sector.
Swimming classes for B40 children
To make sports more accessible, KBS has introduced the Basic Sports Training Skills Swim (KLAS Swim) for children from B40 families. Phase 1 was attended by over 700 participants, and the ministry is now targetting 5,760 participants for the second phase. KLAS Swim has now been expanded to 36 locations nationwide. The main objective of this initiative is to reduce drowning rates among youths by exposing them basic swimming techniques to children from B40 families. KLAS Swim has now been expanded to include the disabled (OKU) and the elderly.
Rahmah Sports Sale
In October 2023, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) introduced the Rahmah Sports Sale (JSR) 2023 initiative. 10 different sports retail companies took part in this initiative. The sale was conducted physically and online in conjunction with the celebration of Malaysia’s 60th National Day and National Sports Day. Hannah wishes that with the selling of sporting goods at affordable prices, her ministry will see an increase in public participation in sports and recreational activities.
Rakan Muda gets a new lease of life
Ten new lifestyles were introduced in an effort to strengthen the rejuvenated Rakan Muda brand. These lifestyles include Rakan Aktif, Rakan Bumi, Rakan Demokrasi, Rakan Digital, Rakan Ekspresi, Rakan Litar, Rakan Mahir, Rakan Muzik, Rakan Niaga, and Rakan Prihatin. All Rakan Muda-related activities and planning are based on existing allocations from the ministry, along with the ministry’s collaborative efforts with strategic partners such as foodpanda, Grab, Lazada, and Shopee.
Launching the 1Sport 1Facility Initiative
It is important for all national sports associations (NSA) to have a home base or a permanent place for training in terms of sporting development. Although training venue provision is the responsibility of NSAs, the 1Sport 1Facility initiative by the ministry is an effort to support NSAs in their efforts to secure a permanent training venue for performance and sports talent development purposes. Since April 2023, KBS has received and considered eight applications from NSAs which have been matched with facilities and amenities under KBS, government ministries/agencies, and private entities.
Women’s health clinic for female athletes
For the first time in history, the National Sports Institute (ISN) established a Women’s Health Clinic at the National Sports Medical Center (NSMC) as an initiative to address women athletes’ health issues. The establishment of this clinic is the result of feedback from a town hall session that was conducted with national women athletes in August 2023. During that session, female athletes voiced their concerns and difficulties in obtaining medical attention. The services that will be provided in this clinic will include consultation and counselling, women’s health examinations, external referrals, and women’s health education sessions.
Renovation of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium
Through the sponsorship from the Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Bukit Jalil National Stadium is now using Zeon Zoysia grass. The stadium had also purchased canvases to shield the field from rain, which was previously a neglected issue. In addition, schools can now organise sports day events at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium for free.
