Malaysian badminton star Ong Yew Sin has been advised to file a police report following disturbing threats of physical violence directed at him and his doubles partner. The abuse stems from online criticism of their recent performance, which some fans deemed unsatisfactory.
Ong revealed on social media that he received a barrage of abusive messages, including explicit threats of physical harm, shortly after his and partner Teo Ee Yi’s elimination in the first round of the Indonesia Masters on January 20th. One notably alarming message stated, “I will bring a knife and injure Ee Yi’s hand, forcing you to either change partners or retire.”
The duo’s exit at the Indonesia Masters marked their third consecutive early departure from a major tournament. They had previously suffered similar first-round losses at the Malaysia Open and the India Open. Their defeat in Indonesia was against Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan.
|
Malaysian badminton player Ong Yew Sin. Photo from Instagram/@badmintonphoto_official |
The shared messages from Ong painted a grim picture of the online vitriol. He posted excerpts that read, “You are not onyl unworthy of facing seeded opponents, you are not even fit to compete in top-level tournaments. You are nothing but a burden to the team, fools… When I say something, I mean it, and I will make it happen.I will use every means possible to force you to retire.” Ong expressed his distress, stating that the threats had crossed a meaningful line.
In response to the severity of the threats, Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus announced on January 22nd that Ong should formally file a police report. Marsus emphasized that such messages constitute a criminal offense and that the authorities are prepared to investigate. Ong Yew Sin needs to file a report so that investigations can be conducted and appropriate action taken,
Marsus stated. This is the responsibility of the authorities. We have zero tolerance for any reported crime and will respond accordingly. If there are criminal elements involved, we will deal with them as best as possible.
these threats against Ong are not isolated incidents but appear to be part of a broader trend of online abuse targeting Malaysian badminton players. The sport holds significant national pride in malaysia, fueled by consistent international success and Olympic achievements. This intense pressure can regrettably lead to harsh criticism when expectations aren’t met.
Another national player, Toh Ee Wei, has also publicly addressed online attacks she faced after early exits from the India Open and Malaysia Open. Some of the comments were particularly hurtful, targeting her family. Toh shared her feelings, saying, For me, I’m OK. But my parents are sad; they took care of me until I grew up, which was not easy. When peopel say things like that, it’s really unpleasant to here.
In October 2025, the Badminton Association of Malaysia issued a statement strongly condemning such behavior and urging the public to express their opinions respectfully and positively. The association’s call highlights the growing concern over the impact of online harassment on athletes and the importance of fostering a supportive environment for national sports heroes.
