Sarawak signs RM350 million guarantee for SEA Games organising cost, minister reveals

Abdul Karim (left) and Mordi photographed during the press conference on Feb 13, 2026.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Feb 13: Sarawak has formally signed a deed of guarantee committing RM350 million towards the organising cost of the 2027 SEA Games, says Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said the guarantee was required by the federal government before the matter could be presented to the federal Cabinet.

“They don’t want us to just commit with ‘air liur’ (words). A deed of guarantee was prepared and sent to my ministry.

“I brought the letter to the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) and asked who should sign it, as it was a guarantee to commit Sarawak to RM350 million before it could be taken to the federal Cabinet.

“The Premier then told me, ‘Karim, you sign it,’ and I signed the document to commit the State to the RM350 million,” he told a press conference held at Baitul Makmur 2 today.

Abdul Karim clarified that the RM350 million covers organising costs only, and does not include infrastructure and facility upgrades, which are funded separately from the State’s own coffers.

He added that the total estimated organising cost for the 2027 SEA Games stands at RM700 million, with the remaining RM350 million to be borne by the federal government.

“Whoever takes up the hosting must contribute half of the total cost. The other half will be taken care of by the federal government,” he said, noting that costs have risen from RM650 million during Malaysia’s last SEA Games in 2017.

According to Abdul Karim, the federal government’s share will also be used to support events allocated to other states such as Penang and Johor, following the division of sports between Sarawak and Kuala Lumpur.

Earlier, Abdul Karim received a courtesy call from the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mordi Bimol, at his office, where they discussed youth and sports matters, including preparations for the 2027 SEA Games.

Among those present were Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu; Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (MASOC) 2027 Secretariat Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Rashid Yaakub; and Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen. – DayakDaily