Khairy, Syed Saddiq respond to #SaveTheOval campaign
Seng Foo Lee
October 4, 2018
01:35 MYT
Political differences were put aside as Khairy Jamaluddin and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman agreed that the Kinrara Oval needed to be preserved.
It was
reported on Tuesday that the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) was instructed to vacate the premise by the end of October to make way for redevelopment, prompting local cricket fans to start
a #SaveTheOval online campaign.
Khairy, Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister from 2013 to 2018, revealed the issue was highlighted before during his tenure and hoped Saddiq could follow up on the matter.
"I wrote to PNB as the land owner of the oval to keep the grounds. One of my last few letters at KBS. Also spoke to then Chairman.
"Hope you can follow up. Public funds used to upgrade for @KL2017. Now to be shut down and taken away," he tweeted to the current Youth and Sports Minister.
In response, Saddiq said talks were already underway.
"We already filed our objection before. Met up with the reps as well. This iconic ground must be defended. Hopefully the new Chairman will hear our plight," he replied.
We already filed our objection before. Met up with the reps as well. This iconic ground must be defended. Hopefully the new Chairman will hear our plight. https://t.co/KIpD6Nokzy
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) October 3, 2018
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
MCA president V. Mahinda later joined in the conversation to thank Saddiq for looking into the issue.
YB @SyedSaddiq tq 4 prompt action. We are a Progressive NSA. Best 2017 ICC overall global development award , app 800 schools, & growing . State & clubs structure ! Sports bring unity & wanting to build further.. Need our home as centre of excellence Pls visit us at Kinrara Oval https://t.co/0IPepU97it
— Mahinda Vallipuram (@mvallipuram) October 3, 2018
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
The news also attracted international attention with former Cricket Hong Kong CEO Tim Cutler and CricketEurope writer Andrew Nixon among those voicing their support to retain the ground.
This would be very bad for cricket in Malaysia. Kinrara is one of the top venues in the associate world outside of the UAE. https://t.co/xSYeeixrXE
— Andrew Nixon (@andrewnixon79) October 3, 2018
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
This is devastating news for @MalaysiaCricket! Let’s hope it can be overturned ASAP. https://t.co/dBB2tZAF2x
— Tim Cutler (@timcutler) October 3, 2018
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
Need a petition to stop this from happening! Fondest memories playing on that oval, winning the @ACCMedia1 Women's Championship in '08 #SaveKinrara https://t.co/txx9Z4dmNB
— Mariko Hill (@MarikoHill) October 3, 2018
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.