KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Olympic bronze medallists Lee Zii Jia, Aaron Chia, and Soh Wooi Yik have been generously rewarded for their achievements in Paris.
Each athlete will receive RM100,000 under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam).
Additionally, Zii Jia will benefit from a lifetime pension of RM2,000 per month. All three athletes also received a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro sports utility vehicle (SUV) valued at RM123,800 each from Chery Malaysia today.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that the National Sports Council (NSC) decided to reward Aaron and Wooi Yik RM100,000 each. This is an increase from the shared amount they received for their bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Yeoh hopes more private companies would follow Chery's lead in supporting Malaysian athletes. "This is the second time Aaron and Wooi Yik have brought home bronze, and the NSC has decided to reward them RM100,000 each," Yeoh said during the car handover ceremony at Chery Bandar Bukit Puchong today.
Zii Jia previously received a RM50,000 grant before the Paris Games and will now receive an additional RM100,000 from the NSC. He will also get RM2,000 monthly for life starting next month under the NSC's Permanent Olympics Incentive Scheme (SITO).
"We believe sports unite Malaysians, and we encourage the private sector to reward athletes for their success. "Chery's gesture is significant as it celebrates all medal winners," Yeoh added.
Aaron expressed gratitude for the rewards and mentioned that the support will motivate him and Wooi Yik as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "We thank Chery for their support. It's wonderful to receive a car suited for a family man like me," he said.
Wooi Yik, who is single, said he plans to gift the car to his father, Soh Goon Chup, a fan of large vehicles. "I think I will give the car to my father as a token of appreciation for the support and care he has provided me. I want to surprise him," said Wooi Yik.