Best Overseas Medal Haul Ever, Dauphin Salutes Athletes’ Efforts

(Bangkok, 19th) Malaysia’s newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Dauphin Johari, praised the national contingent’s strong showing at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, noting that the team has already won more than 50 gold medals and collected a total of 221 medals—Malaysia’s best-ever overseas SEA Games medal haul.

He expressed hope that athletes still in action will continue to perform at their best before the 33rd SEA Games conclude tomorrow at Rajamangala National Stadium, adding that the nation is eager to see Malaysia add to its tally. “I would like to congratulate all our heroes and heroines. Thank you for the athletes’ hard work, and also to the secretariat and everyone who has made the Malaysian team a source of national pride,” he told reporters after watching squash at Vajiravudh College in Bangkok today.

Dr. Dauphin said this was his first visit to the SEA Games in his capacity as minister and stressed that the government will build on the results from this edition as it ramps up preparations for the 2027 SEA Games, which Malaysia will host.

Historically, Malaysia’s previous best overseas SEA Games medal total came in 2007 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, when the contingent won 216 medals. That same edition also remains Malaysia’s record for the highest number of gold medals won overseas, with 68.

Meanwhile, despite having already achieved its target of 200 medals regardless of colour, the Malaysian contingent said it will not ease off in the final stretch of the Games. Chef de mission Chong Sook Ling noted that while the 33rd SEA Games will close tomorrow, Malaysia’s mission is not over yet. “We are not done. We will keep pushing. We know we still have the capability to win more medals, and the final outcome will depend on our performances from here,” she said in Bangkok last night.

Chong credited the achievement to a collective effort involving not only athletes, but also team managers, national sports associations, and supporting sports bodies. She also expressed appreciation to former Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh for her continued support of national sports development, and wished her well in her new role as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).