KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today urged Malaysians to support the two national pairs who will play in the finals of the Badminton World Championships in Paris.
He said women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan and mixed doubles duo Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have done the country proud by advancing to the final of their respective events on the day of the nation’s independence anniversary.
“Congratulations to Pearly-Thinaah for making history as the first Malaysian women’s doubles pair to qualify for the final and also to the solid pairing of Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who similarly advanced to the championship match.
“Their presence on this prestigious stage, right on National Day, is a truly meaningful gift for our beloved homeland,” he said in a Facebook post.
Zahid urged Malaysians to continue offering prayers and encouragement to both pairs so they can deliver a memorable victory for Malaysia.
“Let us raise the Merdeka spirit on the world stage. Show your true Malaysian spirit, stand united and cheer them on,” he said.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei will face China’s Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin at 7pm Malaysian time, while world No.2 Pearly-Thinaah will play world No.1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning of China at 8.40pm.
