KUALALUMPUR, Malaysia, July 7, 2025 – The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has announced a significant boost to the nation’s sports development with a RM1 million allocation from the National Sports Trust Fund (KWASN). This funding aims to nurture and develop athletic talent among members of Malaysia’s uniformed bodies, including the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the Malaysian Prison Department (JPM), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh, underscored this commitment during the Uniformed Bodies Program Coordination Meeting, attended by top officials and senior representatives from JBPM, JPM, PDRM, and ATM. She highlighted the long-standing role of uniformed bodies as a vital source of athletes who have brought home medals for the Malaysian contingent in various international sporting events.
Uniformed bodies have notably excelled in sports such as archery and shooting, with standout performances from ATM and PDRM athletes on the global stage. Additionally, athletes from these organizations have made their mark in national-level competitions, excelling in lawn bowls, sepak takraw, cycling, hockey, and boxing.
Among the remarkable achievements cited are:
– Saritha Cham Nong (ATM) – Gold medal in the women’s compound team event at the Asian Archery Championship in Singapore.
– Erma Firyana Saroji (PDRM) – Gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the 2025 World Indoor Lawn Bowls Championship in Scotland.
– Mohd Shaharil Alman Halim (PDRM) and Mohd Afiluddin Mohd Razali (ATM) – Silver in the team event at the 2024 Sepak Takraw World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, with Mohd Afiluddin also securing a gold in the quadrant event at the 2025 Asian Sepak Takraw Championship.
KBS is also extending support to JPM for petanque and JBPM for ping pong, aiming to broaden talent development efforts. This initiative seeks to position uniformed body members as a key reserve force and future contributors to Malaysia’s international sports success.
The meeting also explored several proposals for further enhancement, including:
– Introducing new aquatic sports like open water swimming, ping pong, and climbing for uniformed bodies.
– Reinstating uniformed body contingents in the Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
– Appointing Paralympic athletes to administrative roles within uniformed bodies, aligning with the government’s one percent (1%) employment policy for persons with disabilities (OKU) in public service.