PCM vs Liek Hou: The RM60,000 controversy

SHAH ALAM - The Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) is in a public dispute with two-time Paralympic gold medallist, para shuttler Cheah Liek Hou.

The conflict stemmed from a promised cash reward for Cheah's gold medal win at the Paris Paralympic Games.

The athlete's allegation

Cheah took to social media to accuse the PCM of "scamming" him, claiming he had not received the promised RM60,000 cash reward one year after his win.

"What can I do if PCM has already announced it that way?.

"At first, they said each of the three companies would contribute RM20,000, but after one pulled out, the amount was cut.

"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," he wrote.

His posts highlighted a perceived discrepancy between the promises made to athletes before a major event and the follow-through after they win.

PCM's response and legal threats

PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin refuted Cheah's claims, stating that PCM never promised a specific figure of RM60,000.

He clarified that the amount was a minimum of RM15,000 for a gold medal, with other incentives from sponsors.

Megat also said Cheah had already received a RM10,000 cheque and that the remaining funds were delayed because a sponsor wanted to be present at the ceremony.

He announced the PCM would take legal action against Cheah for defamation, accusing him of slandering the association and potentially jeopardising future sponsorships.

The PCM also threatened to issue a show-cause letter to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and the National Sports Council (NSC), suggesting Liek Hou could face a lifetime ban from competing in multi-sport games like the Olympics and Asian Games.

"We will issue a show-cause letter to BAM and also NSC as Cheah is an athlete under BAM.

"We will follow the proper procedure, as he has the right to defend himself. We do not want anyone to accuse us of failing to adhere to the rules. By using the word ‘scam’, he has slandered (libelled) the association," Megat said.

The government's stance and political reaction

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh stepped in, defending Cheah and slamming PCM's handling of the situation.

Yeoh argued that Cheah had not violated any disciplinary rules and was simply demanding what was promised to him.

She stressed that athletes' success, not the PCM, attracted sponsorships and that threatening a national hero with legal action was a poor way to treat them.

"Sponsors want to support and celebrate athletes' achievements, not just to provide funding for PCM.

"This is not the way to treat Cheah, who has brought glory to Malaysia. Cheah is a hardworking athlete. Every time he competes, he wins medals for Malaysia.

"He did not cross any disciplinary lines. He is merely asking for what he was promised a year after he won gold in the Paris Paralympics. This is not a disciplinary issue but caused by the delay by PCM," Yeoh said via social media.

She also clarified that the NSC fully funds Cheah and that the PCM does not have the sole right to act against him.

Similarly, PKR vice-president Jimmy Puah labelled the situation "disgraceful," stating it reflected a deeper issue of governance and a lack of integrity within Malaysia's sports bodies.

Puah argued that this was not a financial problem but "values issue," and called for the PCM leadership to apologise and be held accountable. He stressed that Paralympic athletes deserved the highest respect and should not have to face such a struggle.

"Paralympic athletes are neither a marginalised group nor individuals to be ‘praised merely as a formality.’

"They are the pride of the nation and the embodiment of Malaysia’s true spirit. They deserve the highest respect - not the deepest disappointment.

"Sports is not merely about winning or losing on the court. It is a mirror of the country’s systems and values. We cannot allow that mirror to shatter - and even more so, we must not allow athletes to bear those broken shards alone," he said.

Resolution and aftermath

Following public backlash and intervention from the Youth and Sports Minister, PCM agreed to release the outstanding funds to Cheah. According to Megat, the money would be deposited this week, with a specific sponsor, B. Grimm Power Sdn Bhd, providing the full amount.

The minister also confirmed that the issue has been resolved and that Cheah will receive the RM60,000 incentive "soon."

Cheah first won gold in the SU5 (physical impairment) men's singles event at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020 and successfully defended his title in Paris last year.

In August 2024, Megat announced that three companies had pledged RM60,000 to each Malaysian gold medallist at the Paris Games. Silver and bronze medallists were to receive RM30,000 and RM15,000, respectively.