Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Sunday that athletes should be wary of offers to use drugs and to stay away at all cost.
“Do not succumb to pressure to take any supplement. If you are under pressure to take drugs, report it immediately to the sports council.
He asked them to check with the National Sports Institute (ISN) and the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (Adamas) before taking vitamins and food supplements.
According to him, national athletes need to know the content of vitamins or food supplements given by coaches and sports officials to avoid getting involved in doping problems in Myanmar as happened in the Palembang SEA Games in 2011.
“Find out what it is. Do not just accept what is given to you,” he said after participating in the Batik Fun Walk here Sunday.
He said the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) would not compromise with any athlete found guilty of using drugs and they would face stiff punishment.
"At the WADA conference recently in South Africa, they decided to impose heavier punishment on errant athletes who take drugs to enhance their performance at sports meets.
"So my advice to all athletes going to the SEA Games to view the development seriously ...the world body is meting out heavier and higher penalties for anti-doping violations," he told a press conference.
A total 833 Malaysian athletes and officials will be participating in 29 of 33 events of the biennial games in Yangon, Naypyitaw, Mandalay and Ngwe Saung from Dec 11 to 22.
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