National Team Should Be Called Harimau Malaysia Not Harimau Malaya

TUARAN, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Sabah assistant minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Jahid Jahim who congratulated the national team for the AFF Suzuki Cup win, however, was disappointed with the use of Harimau Malaya to refer the Malaysian team.

Jahid added that he had received numerous calls from youth organizations in the state, condemning the use of "Harimau Malaya or Singa Malaya" (Malaya Tiger or Malaya Lion).

"Being the assistant minister of Youth and Sports, the youth of the state have been calling me to express their disappointment over the use of Harimau Malaya to refer the national football team instead of Harimau Malaysia.

"I feel there is a basis to their feelings since it does not portray the ideals of the 1Malaysia concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak...Harimau Malaysia should have been used," he told reporters on Thursday.

Jahid who is also the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Youth Chief said the mainstream media, especially the editors, should be more responsible when using such sensitive words since "Malaya" literally omitted Sabah and Sarawak.

He added that though it was not a major issue since it was only used to refer the national team that played in the AFF Suzuki Cup, the impact and sensitivity can become a big factor.