Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the powerlifting athlete had made both Malaysia and Sarawak proud on the international sports stage.

“Bonnie is a role model we should emulate. I congratulate him for breaking the world record, and bringing pride to both Malaysia and Sarawak,” he said at the opening ceremony of the Para Sukma games here.

Abang Johari said that Sarawak would continue to train para athletes with the potential to represent the nation at international levels, contributing to the development of sports in Malaysia.

At the Paris Paralympics last month, Bonnie defended his gold in the men’s 72kg category by lifting 232kg, breaking the previous world record of 231kg he set at the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships in Dubai.

His total lift also set a new Paralympic record, surpassing his previous mark of 228kg at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The Federal government also provides an incentive of RM1 million for gold medal winners at the Paralympics with additional bonuses for breaking Paralympic or world records.