Kuala lumpur: National karate athlete, C. Shahmalarani, will receive a National Sports Incentive Scheme (SHAKAM) reward of RM40,000 following her success in winning a silver medal at the Karate World Championships in Cairo, Egypt, last Sunday. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced the incentive as a recognition of Shahmalarani’s achievement in reaching the final stage for the first time in 11 years for Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this success ends the country’s long wait to return to the finals of the karate world championships, reinforcing Shahmalarani’s role as a key figure in Malaysian karate on the international scene. In the women’s kumite under 50-kilogram final, Shahmalarani was defeated 1-6 by Uzbekistan’s Gulshan Alimardanova. The last time Malaysia secured a medal in the finals was in 2014 when Syakilla Salny Jefry Krishnan faced Egypt’s Giana Farouk in the women’s under 61kg event.

Meanwhile, Hannah Yeoh shared that three motions concerning youth development were discussed by delegates during the second session of the 35th National Youth Consultative Council (MPBN), Session 2025-2026. These motions included the proposal for the government to develop a comprehensive complaints mechanism utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), the enhancement of youth leadership and socio-economic development in a cohesive manner, and a call for public intervention to address social and health risks among youth.