Farah Ann receives Selangor Sultan's backing

Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed his displeasure at those picking on the attire of national artistic gymnast Farah Ann Hadi.

In his congratulatory letter to Farah, Sultan Sharafuddin said that she had made the whole of Malaysia, including Selangor, feel proud.

"Criticising your attire should be the last matter in the minds of those who commented negatively on social media.

"They should be celebrating your achievements for Malaysia and Selangor," he said in the letter handed to her on Friday.

Farah, accompanied by her father Abdul Hadi Ahmad, received the letter from a Selangor Istana official.

She was criticised for allegedly "exposing" herself after winning two gold medals, a silver medal and three bronze medals at the recent Singapore Sea Games.

Farah was wearing a leotard, as all female gymnasts do.

Sultan Sharafuddin hoped that Farah would not take the comments of narrow-minded people to heart and continue to strive to be the best in her field.

"Malaysia's future lies in the younger generation like you and the rakyat supporting them to excel instead of giving negative comments.

"I am sure it must have taken years of hard work, dedication, determination and long hours of training to reach the level that you have achieved," said the Selangor Ruler.

In an immediate response, Farah said she was touched and felt humbled to accept the letter.

"I would like to express my highest gratitude towards the Sultan of Selangor for taking his time to write me the letter," she said.