Anwar hints at hosting 2027 SEA Games, says Sarawak to co-host

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the 21st Sukma in Sarawak tonight. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has hinted that Malaysia will host the 2027 SEA Games, after announcing that Putrajaya agreed for Sarawak to act as co-hosts.

According to The Borneo Post, Anwar said he will confirm whether Malaysia will host the SEA Games when the Cabinet meets on Wednesday.

At the closing ceremony of the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak tonight, he said Sarawak had done a remarkable job in organising Sukma, describing it as one of the best in recent history.

He said this was a key factor in deciding to allow Sarawak to co-host the SEA Games.

Given these achievements and Sarawak’s proven ability to host major sporting events, I, on behalf of the Malaysian government, agree that Sarawak will co-host the SEA Games 2027,

 he was quoted as saying.

If Malaysia does host the 2027 games, it would be its seventh time hosting the regional sporting event, after 1965, 1971, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2017.

In May 2022, the SEA Games Federation unanimously agreed to hand the rights to organise the 2027 games to Malaysia after Brunei withdrew, while Thailand and Singapore would be allowed to host the games in 2025 and 2029, respectively.

Sarawak later expressed interest to co-host the games, while its premier, Abang Johari Openg, said the state government was willing to pay half of the estimated RM700 million cost.

Last week, youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said she was waiting for the finance and economy ministries’ feedback on hosting the games, after which a proposal would be brought to the Cabinet. - FMT