Both showed mesmerising skills with their satin ribbons to score identical 15.200 points but Sie Yan was initially declared the winner due to difference in difficulty levels.

However, Malaysian officials – including Olympic Council of Malaysia president Norza Zakaria and chef de mission Megat Zulkarnain Omardin – protested, leading to a change in decision.

Thailand’s Nat Kulsanawong took bronze with 14.050 points as no silver medal was awarded during the presentation ceremony, which was delayed for more than an hour.

It was not the first time Malaysians have won joint gold, as Sie Yan and N. Shasangari Sivaneswari did the same in women’s all-around at Singapore 2015.

It was also 19-year-old Izzah’s second gold today, on top of a silver.

“Everyone deserves to win. Rhythmic gymnastics is a subjective sport, so as an athlete our job is to perform our best and it’s up to them (to decide),” she told reporters.

Sie Yan, who also won silver in the clubs apparatus, said: “It’s a proud moment to be standing on podium together as gold medallists in the same event.

“It’s an extra gold for the country; I’m happy to share it.”

Earlier Izzah retained her ball apparatus gold by scoring 17.800 points ahead of Kulsanawong (16.300) and Daniela Reggie Dela Pisa (15.600) of the Philippines.

In another controversial decision, Malaysia were denied gold in the hoops apparatus when Izzah (16.500) and Amy Kwan (15.900) were awarded silver and bronze respectively.

Daniela took the gold with 17.750, in what the Malaysian camp alleged as biased judging.

The team concluded the competition on a high by retaining the group all-around gold through Chan Mei Thung, Eu Jia Xin, Koh Jei Yi, Lee Xin Yao, Lim Chyi Ean and Shak Yuki with 40.050 points.

After making a clean sweep of all eight gold medals at the last edition in KL, Malaysia finished this year’s campaign with four from the five events contested.