The ongoing contract dispute between the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah has taken yet another twist, extending into extra time.
Many had anticipated that a resolution was near when BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz met with the world No. 3 duo at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur earlier today. However, the discussion ended without a final agreement, as Zafrul opted to give Pearly and Thinaah additional time to decide on their future with the national squad—six months after their contracts officially expired.
Speculation had been rife that the duo might part ways with the national team and pursue a professional career if BAM failed to meet their requests for improved contract terms. However, based on the outcome of yesterday’s meeting, it appears that Pearly and Thinaah’s demands may be accommodated.
Tengku Zafrul stated that Pearly and Thinaah have been given a deadline to decide before they depart for the Japan Open, scheduled from July 15 to 20. He expressed confidence that the final decision would result in a win-win outcome for both the national association and the pair.
“We’re seeing encouraging signs that a mutually beneficial resolution is within reach,” said Tengku Zafrul following his meeting with Pearly and Thinaah.
“As with any contract negotiation, discussions are part of the process. It’s important that we recognise and fairly reward their contributions.
“When we assess the value of the pair, we also need to set clear performance targets. If they achieve better results, they deserve greater rewards. They are looking for both stability and acknowledgment of their achievements, and I believe it’s our responsibility to support that. I’m also very much in favour of a performance-based compensation structure, or in this case, a performance-driven package.”
“We appreciate their dedication, and they also recognise the support we’ve given them. The timeline we’ve set is final, allowing them to fully focus on their upcoming competitions, particularly the Japan and China Opens, as well as the World Championships from August 25 to 31. Our conversation was open, honest, and respectful. It was a constructive discussion, and most importantly, both players remain committed to continuing their success.”
The two-week window before the Japan Open is likely intended for the finalisation and redrafting of contracts, as it appears increasingly likely that Pearly and Thinaah will be offered improved terms extending until 2028. This significant aspect may have contributed to the delay in their formal commitment to remain under BAM’s banner.
Tengku Zafrul chose not to address the reasons behind the pair’s six-month delay in responding to BAM’s initial proposal. He noted that the focus now is on moving forward rather than revisiting past issues, emphasizing that discussions are nearly complete, with only a few details left to be refined.
“Regardless of what happened in the past or any issues that may have come up, I’ve advised both the management and the players to focus on the future,” Tengku Zafrul said. “Everyone has something to gain from this, and I want to ensure that no party is shortchanged.”
Pearly and Thinaah chose to remain silent for now, opting to hold off on any public statements until the negotiations are finalised.
“We’ve had our meeting, and we’ll speak to the media at a later time,” Pearly said.
With the deadline set ahead of the Japan Open, a resolution to the prolonged contract dispute between BAM and Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah appears increasingly likely, as both sides move closer to an agreement. The world No. 3 duo are expected to receive improved terms that reflect their achievements and ensure stability through 2028. While negotiations are still being finalised, the tone of recent discussions has been positive, with BAM president Tengku Zafrul emphasizing a forward-looking approach and mutual benefit. As Pearly and Thinaah remain focused on their upcoming tournaments, a formal commitment could soon bring closure to the six-month standoff.
Source: NST
