Today-Feb 7
A seven-time ASEAN Para Games champion in Malaysia was spotted selling tissue paper at Kuala Lumpur in an online video, prompting social media users to call for measures to support former para-athletes. Video creator Nicholas Lim Pinn Yang posted a video last Wednesday (Feb 1) of his encounter with former swimming para-athlete Koh Lee Peng, who was selling tissues at Bukit Bintang, a luxury shopping district in Kuala Lumpur. Ms Koh was seen sitting in a wheelchair at a shelterless pavilion in the video, while wearing the 2017 Asean Para Games T-shirt. When Mr Lim approached, she asked him if he wanted a small or big packet of tissue. While chatting with the content creator, the seven-time gold medalist revealed that her last competition was in 2017 and showed off the five medals that she had donned. “I have no choice. I have to live. Things are getting expensive. I have to rely on myself. I have bills to pay monthly,” explained Ms Koh in Hokkien. The former national para swimmer represented Malaysia at the Asean Para Games from 2001 to 2005. During the five years, she clinched seven gold and three silver medals. Prior to selling tissues on the street, Ms Koh held an office job. However, as her workplace was in a building with no lifts, she faced issues with accessibility and decided to leave, according to Malaysian news and lifestyle website Says. Read more at: https://www.todayonline.com/world/malaysia-para-athlete-tissue-2102596
