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Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou has reignited debate over how Malaysia rewards its athletes, accusing the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) of failing to deliver a RM60,000 cash incentive promised more than a year ago
Voicing his frustration in an Instagram Story, the para shuttler wrote:
"It's been a year since the Paris Paralympics, but I have yet to receive the incentive promised. It feels like they (PCM) scammed me. When they want results, they promise you everything. When we deliver, what do we para-athletes get in return?"
Cheah, who defended his men's singles SU5 title in Paris after also winning gold at Tokyo 2020, stressed that the dispute was unrelated to the government.
According to the New Straits Times, he emphasised that Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had ensured the official National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam) was paid out promptly.
"In fact, our Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh arranged for our Sports Victory Prize Incentive to be given to us on Oct 26, 2024, just a month after the Games concluded," he added.
The controversy, instead, centres on PCM.
In August 2024, PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin announced that three companies had pledged rewards for Malaysian medallists at the Paris Paralympics
Gold medallists were to receive RM60,000, silver RM30,000, and bronze RM15,000.
But that pledge has since come into question.
Speaking to the New Straits Times earlier this week, PCM secretary-general Datuk Subramaniam Raman Nair admitted the incentives were never funded by PCM itself, but dependent on outside sponsors.
"To be clear, the incentives are not directly from PCM but from sponsors we approached," Subramaniam was quoted as saying.
He said one of the three companies withdrew due to financial issues, leaving only two to cover the pledges. As a result, gold medallists will now receive less than half of the promised RM60,000.
One sponsor had already paid RM10,000 to each gold medallist, RM5,000 to each silver medallist, and RM3,000 to bronze winners in April. Another foreign company committed RM15,000 for gold, RM10,000 for silver, and RM5,000 for bronze, but the handover was delayed as its CEO insisted on being in Malaysia for the ceremony.
"The delay was because the company's boss wanted to be present but had not been able to find a suitable date to travel to Malaysia," Subramaniam explained. "This had already been explained to the athletes during the first incentive presentation in April."
For athletes, however, the explanation offered little reassurance.
Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin.
Image via Owee Ah Chun/New Straits TimesThe Paris Paralympics delivered two gold medals for Malaysia, won by Cheah and powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin
Malaysia also bagged two silvers through Abdul Latif Romly and Ziyad Zolkefli, and a bronze from sprinter Eddy Bernard.
More than a year later, most are still waiting for the extra incentives.
Cheah was especially dismayed that PCM scheduled the reward presentation for Thursday, 18 September, while he is away in Beijing competing at the China Para Badminton International from 16 to 21 September. Bonnie, meanwhile, is currently in Sarawak.
"They decided to hold the ceremony, but surely they should know the athletes' schedules? I'm not the only one away from Kuala Lumpur – Bonnie is currently in Sarawak," he said.
He also questioned why PCM announced the rewards publicly before securing binding commitments from sponsors.
"PCM should take responsibility because once such an announcement is made, they should have secured firm commitments from the sponsors first. How can you announce one amount, then later say it will be less? I'm concerned that future sponsors may also back out after making promises."
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh confirmed she had been briefed by PCM and told the payments would be made soon
"I was informed that Cheah Liek Hou had expressed disappointment with PCM, which was said to have not fulfilled its promise of channelling the cash incentive. But I have received clarification from the council and was informed that the payment will be made soon, with a specific date already set," she said.
Yeoh said that once a date is set, "the matter can be considered resolved".
While the government's Shakam scheme has never been in doubt, PCM's initiative, meant to be a bonus, has instead become a credibility test
Subramaniam acknowledged that PCM has little recourse when sponsors back out.
"These companies do not have any contractual obligations with us and there is not much we can do if they withdraw or pay a lower amount."
For athletes like Cheah, the issue is now as much about trust as money. They argue that when medals are delivered on the world stage, promises made in their name should be kept.
