KUALA LUMPUR – The future of Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, is expected to become clearer only after the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) announces its new president this weekend.
All indications point to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz being appointed as BAM president during the national body’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) this coming Saturday (May 10), which will be held at Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
He is set to succeed Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, who stepped down following the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A highly reliable source told Scoop that aside from the presidency, all other positions within the association are likely to remain unchanged. This includes both deputy president roles, currently held by BAM acting president Datuk V. Subramaniam and Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, respectively.
As for Pearly and Thinaah, who have yet to sign a new contract with BAM, the source said: “I believe BAM will be able to comment more on this after the council meeting and AGM on Saturday.
“I don’t think BAM will budge (to meet high demands). The shuttle is now in their (Pearly and Thinaah’s) court.”
Asked whether the new president would be expected to intervene in the matter, the source added: “I’m sure he will be briefed and included in the discussion.”
On April 1, Scoop reported growing speculation that Pearly and Thinaah were considering going independent. BAM later confirmed that the former French Open champions had yet to sign a contract offered to them earlier this year.
It is understood that the duo are seeking a more lucrative remuneration package – on par with BAM’s top earners – reportedly around RM2 million per year.
Should the national number one pair choose to leave, they would join a growing list of high-profile shuttlers who have turned professional.
In 2022, men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia left BAM to go independent, followed by men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani last year. – May 6, 2025