KUALA LUMPUR — The decision to set Malaysia’s medal target for the 2025 SEA Games based on total medal count rather than medal colours was guided by expert recommendations, not made independently, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
She explained that experts from Japan’s Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU) — an institution that has produced over 40 Olympic gold medallists — had questioned why Malaysia still follows the traditional practice of setting targets based on gold, silver, and bronze, a method many countries have since abandoned.
“This isn’t Hannah Yeoh’s recommendation; it comes from NSSU. In our discussions, they asked why Malaysia is still setting medal targets by colour when other nations have moved away from this approach.
“Of course, we also listen to our athletes, but I want to hear from the experts too. NSSU has trained over 40 Olympic gold medallists, so they certainly know what they are talking about,” she told reporters after attending the opening of a new Rhythmic Excellence Academy branch today.
She emphasised that input from local experts was also considered.
“It’s not that we are not listening. We do listen, but it would be pointless for us to sign an MoU, invite experts, and then tell them, ‘Sorry, I don’t want to hear what you have to say because I think Malaysia knows better.’
“If this approach has proven beneficial for Japan, Australia, and other sports powerhousess, I am willing to give it a chance,” she said.
On Wednesday, during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session, Hannah announced the adoption of a colourless medal target system, first introduced at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Traditionally, Malaysia has always set specific gold medal targets. The only prior exception was at the 2015 SEA Games under then-youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who based targets on a percentage of events contested (56%). — February 9, 2025