KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has assured that the RM60,000 incentive promised to 2024 Paris Paralympic gold medallists, including badminton ace Cheah Liek Hou, will be paid soon, saying the matter has now been resolved.
This comes a day after Liek Hou vented his frustration on social media, accusing the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) of “scamming” athletes by repeatedly delaying the payment since last November.
Speaking in Seremban last night, Hannah confirmed she had sought clarification from PCM and was informed that a payout date has been fixed.
“I understand Cheah Liek Hou has posted on social media about the promised budget not being finalised. But I have also received an explanation from PCM, and I understand that the budget will be delivered in the near future.
“There is a date, so you can ask PCM. Because there is a date, I think this matter has been resolved, and I would like to thank PCM for acting immediately,” she said.
On Friday, Liek Hou told Scoop he had waited patiently for nearly a year before speaking out. He said PCM had initially promised the incentive at a November 2024 ceremony, later postponed to December, and then before Hari Raya this year.
In April, he received RM10,000 from one of the sponsoring companies, leaving a balance of RM50,000 outstanding. He also revealed that PCM had contacted him on Wednesday about using his image on a commemorative stamp but did not respond when he asked about the money.
PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin is expected to hold a press conference next week to address the matter. – September 13, 2025