SARAWAK’S Paralympic powerlifters Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and Jong Yee Khie could be financially set for life for their medal-winning performances at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

State Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Karim Hamzah would not say it but sources told The Malaysian Insight that the state could reward Bunyau RM500,000 and Jong RM250,000 for their gold and silver medal-winning performances respectively at the Games.

Karim, in an interview this morning, said the amount of incentive to be given has to be discussed by the state cabinet before he could announce it.

“We (the state) don’t have a set structure on the amount to be given out. That is why it needs cabinet approval,” he said.

“Sarawak has its own way of saying thank-you to these athletes. I know more or less the amount, but we just have to wait for the announcement.”

However, he gave away a hint in the interview when he said “the state government will give half of what the federal government gives” based on precedents.

Malaysia rewards Olympic and Paralympic athletes with RM1 million for a gold medal, RM500,000 for a silver and RM100,000 for a bronze.

In addition, they also receive a lifetime monthly pension of RM5,000 for a gold medal, RM3,000 for a silver and RM2,000 for a bronze.

Karim said he hoped Bunyau and Jong would be eligible for the pension.

Twenty-two-year-old Bunyau, from Kpg Baru Mawang in Serian, won Malaysia’s first gold at the Games in the 72kg category.

En route to the victory, Bunyau also broke the Games’ record of 227kg set by Rasool Mohsin from Iraq at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. He lifted 228kg.

Jong, 33, won silver in the men’s under 107kg category, lifting 237kg behind Mongolia’s Sodnompiljee Enkhbayar, who set a new Games record of 245kg.

Karim said what is important is that the incentives will set them for life and to compensate them for the long hours they spent in training to prepare for competitions and the amount they have spent on food supplements.

The two Paralympians could also receive special honorary medals similar to that awarded to diver Pandelala Rinong for winning silver in the Rio Olympics in the summer of 2016. – September 2, 2021.