KUALA LUMPUR: The Sabah state government has decided to withdraw from co-hosting the South East Asia (Sea) Games.

In a parliamentary written reply published on the website today, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the state government, which initially agreed to allocate RM100,528,975 for the joint management of the Sea Games decided to withdraw due to a lack of suitable facilities.

She said this in response to Chow Kon Yeow (PH-Batu Kawan), who asked about the planning and preparations for the organisation of the 2027 Sea Games and the allocation provided for each state involved.

On Aug 28, the ministry announced that the federal government had accepted the offer from the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) to host the 2027 Sea Games.

The next day, Yeoh said three states namely Penang, Sabah and Sarawak agreed to co-host with Kuala Lumpur in organising Sea Games.

On Sept 4, Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the state has not agreed to co-host the 2027 Sea Games or committed to paying any part of the costs.

The next day, Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said the state government would review and reconsider a proposal to co-host Sea Games.

The decision was agreed to by the state cabinet.

Yeoh said the estimated cost of hosting the 2027 Sea Games is RM700 million, compared to RM608,741,085 during the 2017 Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur.

"The hosting of the 2027 Sea Games will be jointly funded by the federal government, state governments and corporate bodies.

"The commitment from the state governments is RM365 million, with RM350 million from the Sarawak government and RM15 million from the Penang government," she said.

Yeoh added the ministry believes that the Sea Games and Asean Para Games 2027 can be hosted using a more prudent, minimalist, and smaller-scale approach.

"Existing facilities are sufficient for hosting the events, with upgrading costs being more economical than constructing new competition venues.

"The ministry will also hold further discussions with private and corporate entities to secure sponsorship in the form of cash and goods."

Yeoh said currently, the ministry is in the process of establishing the organising committee and secretariat for the 2027 Sea Games through discussions with the Olympic Council of Malaysia, the Paralympic Council Malaysia, related ministries and the state governments.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/1123382/sabah-withdraws-co-hosting-2027-sea-games