Kedah MB just kidding on requesting money to send contingent to Sukma — Sarawak minister

From left: Rentap, Abdul Karim, Dr Nagulendran and Ripin photographed at the press conference on July 16, 2024.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, July 16: Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has clarified that Kedah Menteri Besar Dato Seri Muhammad Sanusi Nor was ‘just kidding’ on the latter’s request for travel subsidy for the upcoming 2024 Malaysia Games (Sukma).

During a press conference at a local hotel here today, Abdul Karim revealed that Sanusi has informed him that Kedah will send a contingent of more than 500 Sukma athletes.

Following this, a reporter asked whether the Kedah contingent will actually transport ‘containers’ of equipment as claimed by Sanusi recently.

“I think it is very rare for state contingents to use containers; the athletes usually hand carry their own equipment.

“However, we know that Sanusi loves to say things in jest. He told me himself yesterday that he was just kidding to cheer things up.

“There is no problem between Sarawak and Kedah,” he said.

Last Wednesday (July 10), Sanusi cited the high costs of travel and the need to transport equipment as reasons for seeking Sarawak’s help with covering part of these expenses.

In response, Abdul Karim said Sanusi’s request reflects a similar ‘suffering’ faced by both Sarawak and Sabah when participating in national events held in Peninsular Malaysia.

Also present during the press conference were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (Youth & Sports) Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu; Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat; Deputy Minister of Women and Early Childhood Development, Datuk Rosey Yunus; Deputy Minister of Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam; Deputy State Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee who is also the chief executive officer of Sukma and Para Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024; Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) secretary-general Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu; and National Sports Council (MSN) director-general Abdul Rashid Yaakub. — DayakDaily