Premier: Sarawak set to co-host SEA Games with upgraded public transport, sports facilities

SIBU (Aug 31): Sarawak will be well-prepared to co-host the SEA Games 2027 with the strengthening of its public transportation as well as the upgrading of its sports facilities to international standards, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“I believe that by 2027, Sarawak’s own airline will have started operations, making travel to and from Sarawak more accessible.

“I also believe that by 2027, the public transportation system in Kuching, namely the autonomous rapid transit (ART) system, will be operational to facilitate movement around Kuching city.

“Besides that, I am confident that sports facilities will have been upgraded to international standards so that Sarawak will be well-prepared to host the SEA Games, or other international sports,” he said.

He was speaking at the state-level National Day celebration at University of Technology Sarawak’s (UTS) Chancellor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s Hall, here today.

Towards this end, Abang Johari thanked the federal government for agreeing to Sarawak’s offer to co-host the SEA Games in 2027, with an estimated cost of RM350 million out of the total cost of RM700 million.

He also recapped Sarawak’s success in hosting the recent 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI).

“As part of the Federation, the path to creating a win-win situation for all parties is through sharing, collaboration, and cooperation without denying the rights of any party.

“Recently, Sarawak successfully hosted the 21st Sukma, even though it was not Sarawak’s turn to host in 2024.

“However, in the spirit of cooperation within the Unity Government, Sarawak rose to the challenge of hosting this year. Alhamdulillah, Sarawak emerged as the overall champion with 76 medals after waiting 30 years,” he said.

Earlier, he noted that the date of August 31 may hold different meanings for the people of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah.

However, these differing interpretations should not hinder the people of these three regions from mutual respect in the shared effort to build a progressive and strong Malaysia, said Abang Johari.

“What is more important as Malaysians with the spirit of ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (together in unity) is that the people of Sarawak and Sabah respect this date as a significant day for the people in the Peninsula and the country, just as we respect the date of September 16, which is crucial not only for the people of Sabah and Sarawak but also for the entire nation,” he said.

Present during the state-level National Day celebration were head of State Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Abang Johari’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan among others.