Ex-Paralympian chooses to peddle streets than heed M’sia’s ‘empty promises’
Seven-time Asean Para Games gold medallist prefers to support herself as street peddler than accept ‘shortlived’ assistance or insincere offers to help
__friend_selling_tissue_covers__small_pouches_in_Bukit_Bintang_Pic_by_SAKTESH_SUBRAMANIAM_The_Vibes.jpg)
Former Malaysian Paralympian swimmer Koh Lee Peng (pictured left) says she must carry on with her life and find ways to support herself without relying on others not because she does not want aid or assistance of any kind ‘but if it is only going to be shortlived, then I must find ways to generate an income on my own’. – Pic by SAKTESH SUBRAMANIAM/ The Vibes, January 18, 2022
KUALA LUMPUR – With the afternoon sun beating down on the streets between the luxurious shopping malls of Pavilion KL and Starhill Gallery, former national para swimmer Koh Lee Peng sits in her motorised wheelchair by the pedestrian crossing with a bag full of colourful tissue covers and small pouches.
The ex-Paralympian has been in the social media limelight after a recent tweet of her situation went viral − raising questions over lack of support for former national athletes.
Although Lee Peng does not deny that she has received offers of assistance from relevant governing bodies in the past, she does question the sincerity of those wanting to help her.
“What’s the point of me accepting help when these are just empty promises? Even if they do offer aid, how long will I be receiving it for? Eventually, I would have to find a way to support myself,” she said when speaking to The Vibes.
“It is only now − during the pandemic − that I have received small financial aids but will it continue when the pandemic is over? I don’t think so,” said Lee Peng.
Dressed in the trademark orange-black coloured attire of national athletes, Lee Peng says she must carry on with her life and find ways to support herself without relying on others.
KUALA LUMPUR – With the afternoon sun beating down on the streets between the luxurious shopping malls of Pavilion KL and Starhill Gallery, former national para swimmer Koh Lee Peng sits in her motorised wheelchair by the pedestrian crossing with a bag full of colourful tissue covers and small pouches.
The ex-Paralympian has been in the social media limelight after a recent tweet of her situation went viral − raising questions over lack of support for former national athletes.
Although Lee Peng does not deny that she has received offers of assistance from relevant governing bodies in the past, she does question the sincerity of those wanting to help her.
“What’s the point of me accepting help when these are just empty promises? Even if they do offer aid, how long will I be receiving it for? Eventually, I would have to find a way to support myself,” she said when speaking to The Vibes.
“It is only now − during the pandemic − that I have received small financial aids but will it continue when the pandemic is over? I don’t think so,” said Lee Peng.
Dressed in the trademark orange-black coloured attire of national athletes, Lee Peng says she must carry on with her life and find ways to support herself without relying on others.
__friend_selling_tissue_covers__small_pouches_in_Bukit_Bintang_Pic_by_SAKTESH_SUBRAMANIAM_The_Vibes.jpg)
Three-time Asean Para Games silver medallist Koh Lee Peng (pictured right), who has taken to selling colourful tissue covers and small pouches on the streets of Bukit Bintang to make ends meet, is frustrated as ‘many come with the empty promise of helping’ but ‘at the end of the day, where is the help?’ – Pic by SAKTESH SUBRAMANIAM/ The Vibes, January 18, 2022
“It’s not that I don’t want help but if it is only going to be shortlived, then I must find ways to generate an income on my own.
“It is difficult, as sometimes, I am unable to sell my products, and that causes many other financial issues.
“We are often behind on rent, but thankfully, our landlord understands as I often have to pay it in full the following month,” she added.
Lee Peng, who brought home seven gold medals and three silver medals at the Asean Para Games from 2001 to 2005, says many parties have come forward with the promise of helping her.
“As tiring as it is to entertain people asking so many questions, it is also frustrating as many come with the empty promise of helping.
“I have even given out my personal information to people in the hope of receiving assistance of some sort, but at the end of the day, where is the help?
“I just have to rely on myself and my own capabilities. There is no point in hoping for half-baked promises (from people), when in reality, they are merely doing it for their own benefit,” she said. – The Vibes, January 18, 2022
“It’s not that I don’t want help but if it is only going to be shortlived, then I must find ways to generate an income on my own.
“It is difficult, as sometimes, I am unable to sell my products, and that causes many other financial issues.
“We are often behind on rent, but thankfully, our landlord understands as I often have to pay it in full the following month,” she added.
Lee Peng, who brought home seven gold medals and three silver medals at the Asean Para Games from 2001 to 2005, says many parties have come forward with the promise of helping her.
“As tiring as it is to entertain people asking so many questions, it is also frustrating as many come with the empty promise of helping.
“I have even given out my personal information to people in the hope of receiving assistance of some sort, but at the end of the day, where is the help?
“I just have to rely on myself and my own capabilities. There is no point in hoping for half-baked promises (from people), when in reality, they are merely doing it for their own benefit,” she said. – The Vibes, January 18, 2022
No comments:
Post a Comment