Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan have officially committed their future to the national team after signing a new contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). Each player is set to receive a remarkable RM1 million (approximately USD 213,000) per year under the agreement, which runs through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The deal was approved during a recent BAM council meeting, ending weeks of speculation that the World No. 3 pair might demand higher terms or consider going independent. According to insiders, BAM may even offer a further performance-based bonus structure if the duo meets key performance indicators (KPIs) in upcoming tournaments—including the Japan Open (July 15–20), China Open (July 22–27), and the World Championships in Paris (August 25–31).
The contract signing is expected to take place this weekend before the pair departs for Tokyo.
The future of Pearly-Thinaah had been uncertain after their previous contract expired in December last year, sparking rumors that they could go professional. However, BAM President Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz had assured fans that the matter would be resolved before their trip to Japan.
In the past four tournaments, Pearly and Thinaah have demonstrated top-tier form:
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Champions at the Thailand Open
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Runners-up at the Indonesia Open
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Semi-finalists at the Malaysia Masters
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Quarter-finalists at the Singapore Open
Their consistent performances have reaffirmed their status as Malaysia’s best bet in women’s doubles, and the new deal ensures that BAM retains their most promising talent heading into a critical Olympic cycle.
BAM Secretary-General Datuk Kenny Goh, when asked for a comment at the Malaysian Badminton Academy (ABM), declined to elaborate but hinted that the official announcement was imminent:
“Let’s wait for the formal statement. As the president mentioned, discussions have been very positive. From BAM’s side, we always want the best outcome.”
With this new chapter, Malaysia’s hopes in women’s doubles are in good hands, and fans can expect Pearly and Thinaah to lead the charge towards Paris 2025 and LA 2028.
