KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has criticised the Paralympic Council of Malaysia’s (PCM) handling of the dispute involving para-badminton star Cheah Liek Hou, warning against turning sponsorship disputes into disciplinary battles.
Speaking after officiating a convocation ceremony today, Hannah said para-athletes should not be punished for voicing frustrations when promised rewards are delayed or denied.
“To me, this matter is very simple. We don’t need a middleman. If a promise is made, it must be kept. If it cannot be fulfilled, then state the reasons and improve from there. There is no need to go as far as banning the athlete,” she told reporters, reported Bernama.
Liek Hou, who won gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games, accused PCM of failing to deliver a RM60,000 cash incentive pledged to him. In response, the council issued him a show-cause letter and later warned that it might pursue legal action or even suspend him from future events.
Hannah described such measures as unnecessary, saying the issue stemmed from weak governance rather than misconduct.
“Athletes like Liek Hou have brought glory to the country and should not be penalised simply for expressing disappointment,” she said.
She urged PCM and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to follow the Road to Gold (RTG) Committee’s model, which formalised all sponsorship pledges in contracts ahead of the Paris Olympics to prevent disputes.
“During the Olympics, many companies offered RM1 million if our athletes won gold. RTG ensured these promises were signed into contracts. I see a need for both OCM and PCM to do the same,” Hannah said.
PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin has argued that Cheah’s public criticism tarnished the council’s credibility and risked jeopardising future sponsorships.
But Hannah stressed the government would not support disciplinary action, calling instead for reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in athlete sponsorships.
“It is time to fix the governance system,” she said. — September 20, 2025