The nation’s true strength lies in its unity, says national badminton legend Lee Chong Wei.
The former world No 1 took to Facebook today to post a National Day message, and said unity has long been the foundation of the nation’s success, both on and off the court, Bernama reported.
“Just like on the village court, Malaysia shines brightest when we play as one team,” Chong Wei said as he reflected on his early days playing the sport before rising to become a national icon.
“My first court as a child wasn’t in a hall. It was just a village setup. We drew chalk lines on the tar road, with a net tied between two poles. My friends and I never cared about race or background.
“All that mattered was who could smash harder, who could run faster, and who would be the first to get an iced lime drink after the game.”
Chong Wei, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, said those experiences taught him that respect, teamwork and friendship are not defined by skin colour but by sincerity and mutual trust.
He added that every time he competed internationally, he carried not just his own name but Malaysia’s — and drew strength from the unity of millions at home.
Chong Wei stressed that Malaysia’s success comes not from our differences but from the ability to stand together as one nation.
“We don’t support Pearly (Pearly Tan) because she is Chinese, Izzuddin (Nur Izzuddin Rumsani) because he is Malay, or Thinaah (M Thinaah) because she is Indian. We support them because they are Malaysians,” he said.
This National Day coincides with the final day of the 2025 World Badminton Championships in Paris, where women’s doubles pair Pearly-Thinaah and mixed doubles duo Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are playing in their respective finals, with the chance to make history for the nation.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will face China’s Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin at 7pm Malaysian time, while Pearly-Thinaah, ranked world No 2, take on top seeds Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning of China at 8.40pm.
