Malaysia is aiming for at least two gold medals at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, with hopes of matching the three-gold achievement from the 2019 Philippines SEA Games. Recent strong performances by Malaysia’s doubles pairs on the world tour have boosted confidence within the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
Malaysia’s main medal hopes lie in world No. 2 men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 2 women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and Thinaah, and world No. 3 mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei. All three pairs have delivered consistent results at the highest level, raising expectations ahead of the regional event.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky stated that while the target is two gold medals, the team is hoping to secure titles in all three doubles categories. However, men’s doubles is expected to be highly competitive, with Malaysia and Indonesia seen as evenly matched. The absence of Indonesia’s top pair, world No. 9 Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, gives Aaron and Soh a clearer path as they chase their second SEA Games gold after victories this year at the Asian Championships, Thailand Open, and Singapore Open.
Malaysia’s second men’s doubles pair, world No. 5 Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, are also strong medal contenders. Key challengers include Indonesia’s world No. 8 Sabar and Reza, world No. 20 Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin, as well as Thailand’s world No. 14 Kittinupong Kedren and Dechapol Puavaranukroh.
In women’s doubles, Malaysia appears to have the strongest chance at gold. Pearly Tan and Thinaah, winners of the Thailand Open, Arctic Open, and Kumamoto Masters this year, are seen as clear favourites. Thailand’s world No. 16 pair Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard, Indonesia’s Febriana and Amalia, and Raisa and Febi are expected to challenge but are not considered major threats.
Mixed doubles may prove the toughest category for Malaysia despite having world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei. Thailand’s world No. 4 Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supisara Paewsampran are strong favourites after winning four World Tour titles this year and holding a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over the Malaysians. This will be Chen Tang Jie’s first SEA Games pairing with Toh Ee Wei, after previously winning the 2022 SEA Games mixed doubles gold with Peck Yen Wei.
Malaysia is also expected to challenge strongly in the men’s team event. Although inconsistent on the World Tour, world No. 29 Leong Jun Hao and world No. 38 Ng Tze Yong have historically performed well in team events such as the Thomas Cup and Sudirman Cup. Strong performances from them could boost Malaysia’s chances for team gold ahead of the individual events.
Malaysia’s best recent SEA Games performance came in 2019, where they won three gold medals: Lee Zii Jia in men’s singles, Kisona in women’s singles, and Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in men’s doubles.
In singles events this year, host nation Thailand is expected to lead the challenge, with former world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in men’s singles and several top-10 contenders in women’s singles.
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