Never in my life have I been asked if I'm okay as many times as yesterday (4 Sep 21).
I won't deny that the last couple of days have been unpleasant to say the least. I tried to not let things get to me too much but I think I should stand up for myself. The world and social media are not always kind, especially to women. I have been in sports for most of my career, I would know and I'd like to think I have learned to manage it well.
I considered everything before I signed up for this new role. I fully expected the reactions on Twitter. It would be silly of me if I didn't. Then again, some are just baseless and unfair but that's Twitter for you.
It reminded me of the time when the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) offered me a job. I had the same feeling, the same thought, I weighed everything because I have always had strong opinions about them, and I still do because I care so much about football. I put aside my opinions. I left my role at Astro which I enjoyed because I wanted to grow, learn more and make a difference in some way. At that time I felt that going to FAM would give me that. This is a body that controls football in Malaysia. This is a game that I love. I was 24 and at the end of it I learned so much and understood better how they function. Now I still question them, but this time I know the right ones to ask.
After some great years in the sports media industry, I started working with clients from other industries. Each one challenged me in a different way. I believe this is how you grow. I am glad that people now realise skills in this field, especially coming from sports media, is not constrained to just one industry. I hope this too can inspire those who are pursuing their career in the same field.
The past months I have been busy with the national covid vaccination programme. I have never made this public because it is something I would support naturally.
I helped the communications team on the social media side. Covid has left me and a lot of people frustrated and like everyone else, I just want things to go back to normal. So I thought if vaccination is the way, I have to do all I can. When I had the opportunity to help the team to encourage people to get vaccinated, how we can communicate better, who we can reach out to so everyone can be protected, I grabbed that chance. I worked with many great, hardworking people from the task force and although it's frustrating and you can get disheartened sometimes, we had to brave it through. For a programme of this scale, all that was inevitable.
How my new role was 'announced' was not ideal. I knew what was coming and it came fast. However, I was still caught off guard. This is a challenging role of another level. Unchartered territories for me. Not just because of the title of the role, but especially to be taking on the role at a very important ministry, in a very difficult time for the country. The pressure is like no other. I guess I must be out of my mind, but this is a challenge I am willing to take and the responsibility I am willing to carry.
To those who wished me well and checked on me, thank you, I needed that.
To those who’ve unfortunately chosen to question my integrity, ponder this: If you were asked in the middle of a deadly pandemic that’s decimating our country, if you would be willing to use your expertise and professionalism in a non-political way to help communicate how people can protect themselves and their loved ones from Covid, how we can move forward and live a healthy life as a nation, would you refuse because of your political opinions?
Maybe some will still say no but I can’t speak for others. You make your own choices in life and they aren’t always easy. My opinions from yesterday, last week or 10 years ago were my opinions at that time. They may have changed, they may have not.
Like any other job that I have done, I take this one very seriously. My head and heart are in the right place. I hope our country will heal soon and that we will all see the light at the end of the tunnel. One thing I hold on to: nothing lasts forever.