The 33-year-old has won the tournament for the last four years and has been handed a round one clash with Fikri Ihsandi Hadmadi of Indonesia at the SPICE Indoor Stadium.

With the event, which rotates around Malaysian venues, moving to Penang, it will serve as a homecoming for Lee who grew up in the area.

"The last time I remember playing in Penang was during my junior days," he told the New Straits Times.

"I have never played in a major tournament back home, so it is definitely special for me to be here.

"I hope the home fans will fill the stadium and stand behind me as I aim to win the title.

"I promise to give my best."

Lee, beaten in the men's Olympic singles finals at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012 by Chinese rival Lin Dan, received a backdated eight-month ban for a doping offence in April.

The 33-year-old four times Commonwealth Games champion has also won three silver medals at the World Championships.

India's second seed Srikanth Kidambi will square off with Malaysia's Chong Wei Feng in his first round clash, with number three ranked Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto facing his compatriot Setyaldi Putra Wibowo.

The top seed in the women's draw is South Korea's Sung Ji-hyun, with the 24-year-old beginning her campaign against Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong.

Second seed Akane Yamaguchi will play fellow Japanese player Saena Kawakami and third seeded Pusarla Sindhu of India will collide with Switzerland's Sabrina Jaquet.

The action is due to conclude in Penang on Sunday (January 24).