Lee Chong Wei.
PETALING JAYA: World No.1 badminton player Datuk Lee Chong Wei has all the ingredients to become a successful politician once he retires from the game.
Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng said that he wouldn’t be surprised to see badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei delving into politics.
Citing his close relationship with top political figures, fame and popularity, Khoo sees him as a potential politician in the near future.
However he thinks our squash queen is not similarly suited. “Datuk Nicol David is also popular among Malaysian but she is always based overseas and I don’t see her involving herself in politics,”
Recently, World boxing heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko announced his plans to contest in the 2015 Ukrainian presidential elections facing current president, Viktor Yanukovcyh.
Khoo says that if sportsmen have an interest in politics, they should do it.
“If they have the people’s support, and can mobilise the masses and put things in a right way, it will surely work for them.
“However, some have opted to remain in sports as they want to help develop more athletes and improve the sporting structure in their country,”
When asked about Datuk Soh Chin Aun's defeat in the Kota Melaka parliamentary seat during the 1986 elections, Khoo said he faced a politician who had a strong political background.
“Soh faced Lim Guan Eng in Kota Melaka which is a hot DAP seat.
“National politics and thd constituency's inclination towards DAP made it difficult for Chin Aun to win Kota Melaka,” said Khoo
Khoo cited Manny Pacquiao as one example of a politician who is making some changes in his country.
“Though his results have been mixed, his fight for anti-trafficking has been lauded by the masses,” said Khoo
People like former Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan, former wrestler Jesse Ventura, former bodybuilder Datuk Gan Boon Leong and two time Olympic gold medallist Sebastien Coe are some of the famous sportsmen turned politicians
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