Just yesterday, Malaysia’s badminton women’s doubles dynamic duo Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan (World ranking: 13) defeated Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and Apriyani Rahayu from Indonesia (World ranking: 9) at the 2024 Paris Olympics to qualify for the quarter-finals!
With this win, the internet has been buzzing with praises for the duo, with many content creators making videos to congratulate them. Though, one content creator decided to try and set herself apart from the rest by coming up with a different angle, and is now receiving backlash for it.
Sports content creator, xiaoooying7, recently took to her TikTok page to ask Malaysians to choose between the women’s doubles duo, Pearly Tan or Thinaah Muralitharan.
She wrote, “Congratulations to Pearly and Thinaah on advancing to the quarter-finals!”
Similar to TikTok videos where an interviewer lists 2 food items or musicians and asks the general public which they prefer, the content creator decided to pit the badminton duo against each other to see who Malaysians favour.
“Pearly Tan or Thinaah?” the content creator asked the general public.
Why divide when you can unite?
This didn’t sit right with Malaysians as they believe the badminton duo shouldn’t be compared considering they’re a team and need to work well together.
Some also believe that the question can cause racial tension.
“If someone compares you with your sister and no one chooses you, would you be happy? You really have too much free time. Please do something more meaningful.”
“Both are currently fighting for our country at the Olympics but you are asking questions like this? Pearly and Thinaah both need each other.”
Considering the dedication and skill that both Malaysian players are showcasing as a duo on the international stage, we should be uplifting them as a team and as a united front.
You can check out her video here:
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: “There are no Malays” – MP Explains Why Billboard in Penang Only Shows Chinese & Indian Politicians
