KOTA KINABALU, Aug 29 — National badminton player Tan Wee Kiong received RM100,000 from the Sabah state government and Sabah-based private contributors today for winning the silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The national shuttler, who has been a member of the Sabah Badminton Association ever since his family moved from Johor to Sabah 16 years ago, met Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman who handed over the mock cheque to Tan at his official residence here today.

"We are presenting him with a token of appreciation for his performance at the Rio Olympics. Sabah is proud to have a player representing the state and making a name on a world stage. We hope to see more achievements from him,” said Musa after a courtesy call with Tan.

Musa explained that the state government gave RM55,000 while the rest was from private contributors.

Tan and his partner, Goh V. Shem, played in the badminton men’s doubles finals in Rio and brought home the silver medal.

Tan Wee Kiong shows his Olympic silver medal to Datuk Seri Musa Aman during a courtesy call in Sri Gaya today. — Picture courtesy of Sabah Chief Minister’s Office

The 27-year-old is the eldest of four siblings and has been living away from home during his training since he was in secondary school. His family moved from Ulu Kundang, Johor to Sabah when they ventured into the oil palm industry in 2000.

The family later started a badminton hall and academy where Tan’s younger brother, Wee Tat has been coaching.

Tan said he had not expected the the gift from Sabah.

"I was really surprised when I was told that I would be given RM100,000 for the Rio achievement,” he said during the presentation ceremony.

He also presented a souvenir jersey to Musa as a token of appreciation.

Tan, who was accompanied by his father Jacky Tan Cham Swee, was here on a day trip and returns to Kuala Lumpur tonight to continue training for the upcoming Japan Open in mid-September.