Sarawak commits RM350 mln to co-host half of 2027 SEA Games

Yeoh speaking during a session in Dewan Negara on July 30, 2024. Photo credit: Hannah Yeoh/Facebook

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 30: The Sarawak government has committed RM350 million to co-host half of the 2027 SEA Games in the region.

In a news report by TVS, Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said in addition to Sarawak which has expressed its desire to be a co-organiser, several other states have also expressed interest in co-organising the event.

“Thank you, Sarawak, they have offered an allocation of RM350 million or equivalent to 50 per cent for the organisation of 18 SEA Games events and eight Asean Para Games.

“Sabah has also agreed to channel over RM100 million for managing 11 sports events and four Asean sports events, while Penang has allocated RM15 million for organising billiard sports,” she informed the Dewan Negara in Kuala Lumpur today.

She was responding to Senator Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya’s inquiry about the government’s decision on hosting the 2027 SEA Games, following the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) meeting which has granted Malaysia the hosting rights.

Yeoh revealed that the estimated cost of organising the 2027 SEA Games is around RM700 million, based on the expenses from the 2017 games held in Kuala Lumpur.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) plans to organise the 2027 SEA Games in strategic cooperation with state governments as co-organisers. The Cabinet will make the final decision, considering all related aspects, including the impact on the national economy,” she explained.

Addressing an additional question from Mohd Hisamudin on the breakdown of the total cost of organising the 2027 SEA Games, Yeoh said that the federal government had received a total allocation of RM465 million.

“This is a significant saving, considering the federal government only needs to allocate about RM235 million for organising the games,” she added.

Yeoh also disclosed that in 2017, the government allocated RM550 million for the SEA Games, with the actual expenditure reaching RM687 million after sponsorships.

She also mentioned that KBS is conducting further research and analysis regarding the proposals for the 2027 SEA Games with an engagement session conducted on June 6, 2024 with stakeholders involving the state governments and corporate bodies. — DayakDaily