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KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttlers must report cyberbullying and physical threats to the authorities instead of suffering in silence, says BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Tengku Zafrul said players should not hesitate to lodge reports with the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over online abuse or physical threats.
His remarks follow "knife threat" messages sent to independent men's doubles pair Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi, as well as online attacks targeting the parents of mixed doubles player Toh Ee Wei.
"Are you really badminton fans?" Tengku Zafrul questioned in a fiery post on social media.
"What kind of fan behaves like this? Do you think players deliberately want to lose? Do you think threatening them until they are mentally disturbed will improve their performance?"
He reminded critics that athletes are human beings, not punching bags.
"Badminton is a sport, and athletes are humans. They face pressure. They have families. They have emotions," he said.
"Criticise performances — that's fine. But threatening, insulting and intimidating players? That's not being a fan. That's bullying."
Tengku Zafrul stressed that while fans want results, mental health must not be sacrificed.
"If players are attacked and abused every time they lose, how are they supposed to focus? How are they supposed to bounce back?" he said.
He called for supporters to back the sport with passion and responsibility, urging criticism to remain constructive.
"Don't insult, don't threaten and don't dehumanise people. If we truly love this sport, we take care of the players — not tear them down," he said.
He also issued a clear call to action: "If you see online bullying, report it to MCMC. If you see physical threats, report them to the police. Don't stay silent. Don't normalise it."
The controversy escalated after some fans hurled abuse at Ee Wei's parents following her first-round exit with Chen Tang Jie at last week's India Open.
BAM has since condemned the actions of netizens targeting Yew Sin-Ee Yi, regardless of whether the players are national or independent.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus has advised Yew Sin to lodge a police report.
While accepting fair criticism, Yew Sin said he is considering filing a report and hopes other athletes will speak up rather than endure cyberbullying.
