KUALA LUMPUR — The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has confirmed receiving salary increment requests from their top players.
Last month, Scoop reported that several prominent Malaysian shuttlers had allegedly sought annual salaries of RM2 million.
However, BAM acting president, Datuk V. Subramaniam, declined to disclose the exact amounts or reveal the identities of the players involved.
Subramaniam noted that salary increment requests are a common occurrence. However, discussions with multiple parties are necessary before such requests can be addressed.
He said this is because, at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM), requests come in many forms and are not limited to monetary.
As such, Subramaniam explained that BAM is carefully reviewing each request received, with discussions ongoing with the players.
“From time to time, we get requests from players and even our staff. This also happens in the government and private sectors, like asking for salary increments.
“There are always requests, but they come in different forms. We in management are in the process of looking at everything carefully to decide what’s right and what’s not.
“Sometimes, an employee might ask for something that doesn’t make sense. They might think they are worth a certain amount, but we need to look at it properly and discuss it with everyone involved to find the best solution.
“It’s still in progress,” said Subramaniam after chairing the BAM Council Meeting today.
At present, BAM provides salaries ranging from RM2,000 to RM20,000 per month, with annual reviews, along with quarterly ranking and tournament bonuses that can go up to RM120,000.
As a result, when players request significant salary hikes, there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of such increases for the association.
Previously, national men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in August, denied being part of the group requesting annual salaries of up to RM2 million. — November 23, 2024