Sabah Athletes Awarded RM383,116

Sabah celebrated the achievement of its athletes in two major athletic events: the 33rd South East Asian (SEA) Games and the 13th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games in Thailand in 2025. A total of 91 athletes from Sabah represented Malaysia at the 2025 SEA Games and they secured five gold, 14 silver, and 11 bronze medals for the national contingent. For the ASEAN Para Games, 22 Sabah athletes represented the country, and they won 14 gold, nine silver, and four bronze medals. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor presented victory incentives totaling RM383,116 to Sabah athletes who won medals at the SEA Games and at the ASEAN Para Games in 2025: RM146,500 for SEA Games medalists and RM236,616 for ASEAN Para Games winners.

The State Government is extremely proud of the achievements by all Sabah athletes at the two events. The Sabah Government is also proud of the outstanding achievements of swimmer Abdul Halim bin Mohammad and track athlete teenager Ivan Jovic Suan, our two Paralympic athletes, both from Tuaran, who became the backbone of our medal haul at the event,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor at the presentation ceremony on 19 May 2026 at Menara Kinabalu. “

Hajiji, with multiple gold medallists Ivan (front) and Abd Halim (second right); and with other the incentive recipients.

Halim won five gold medals in individual events, setting four new records, and one silver and one bronze medal in team events. Abdul Halim, who was also named Malaysia’s Best Male Athlete at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games by the Malaysia Paralympic Council (MPM). Eighteen-year-old Ivan won three gold medals and set a new record in a sprint event.