The National Writers Association (Pena) has criticised the Youth and Sports Ministry’s move to rebrand the Hari Sukan Negara programme to “Malaysia Sports Challenge”.

In a strongly-worded statement today, association president Mohamad Saleeh Rahamad took issue with the use of English in the new name.

“As we approach our 62nd year of independence, Malaysia is becoming weaker in defending the status of Malay in the federal constitution now that Hari Sukan Negara is given a new name - Malaysia Sports Challenge.

“All official government programmes should use Malay as it is the national language,” he said.

Mohamad Saleeh further cautioned Pakatan Harapan against “challenging nationalists” and “destroying the country”.

“The government should not make things worse when the country is already in turmoil. The government should not challenge the sensitivities of nationalists now that friction among the races is already tense.

“It appears that the present regime wants to menggoncang (shake or undermine) the constitution while the rakyat is striving to defend it.

“The old regime used the name ‘Fit Malaysia’ and now the new regime uses ‘Malaysia Sports Challenge’. It is the government that is destroying the country,” he remarked.

Read more: DBP objects to rebranding of Hari Sukan Negara

A Malaysian event for all

His comments come after Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Steven Sim brushed off concerns that the programme’s new name would deter participation.

“I don’t think this will be a problem as it is a Malaysian event, its organiser is the Malaysian government who comprise Malaysians and many of the participants will also be Malaysians.

“I feel that Malaysians will not be affected no matter what language is used for the branding of the programme,” he said yesterday, adding that the rebranding exercise made the programme seem more prestigious for international guests and sporting brands.

Speaking to the media after holding a briefing with potential sponsors for the Malaysia Sports Challenge, Sim (above) emphasised that the ministry’s efforts to widen the programme’s reach was to ensure more citizens could benefit from it.

“This is a continuation from the Hari Sukan Negara programme - previously a one-day event in the capital city. We now have a larger mission and objective,” he had said.

An idea mooted by Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the Malaysia Sports Challenge will run for the entire month of October and see events being held in every state right down to the daerah (district) level.

The programme will focus on sports and fitness activities for women, people with special needs, and the elderly.

It targets the involvement of around five million people.

The programme is slated to begin on Oct 12 and will be launched by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Additional reporting by ANNABELLE LEE.