Malaysia's Youth Minister Syed Saddiq takes down 'shirtless in bathtub' photo following backlash

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman posted a photo of himself shirtless in a bathtub on social media, which some Malaysians criticised as unbecoming of a minister. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/SYEDSADDIQ

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who posted a photo of himself shirtless in a bathtub on social media, has drawn criticism from Malaysians.

He has since removed the post from both his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

The photo showed the 25-year-old undergoing cold water therapy - where he was immersed in ice water in a bathtub - after a friendly football match that was held in conjunction with Hari Sukan Negara 2018 last Saturday (Oct 13), exposing his well-defined abs to his 613,000 followers on Twitter.

Some Malaysians, however, described the post as unbecoming of a minister. He is Malaysia's youngest-ever minister.

Mr Syed Saddiq's Choice team had played against Dugong Allstars, a team made up of local celebrities, last Saturday afternoon.

His team won the match 4-3, with the minister scoring the decisive goal.

It is common practice among athletes to soak themselves in ice water after training or after a competition.

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The therapy is said to provide relief for muscle pain and soreness.

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