With an eye towards the opening ceremony, Sarawak is prepared to co-host the SEA Games 2027

KUCHING: Sarawak has suggested holding the opening ceremony in the Land of the Hornbills and is prepared to co-host the 2027 Southeast Asian Games.

Sarawak is willing to split the Games’ hosting expenses with Putrajaya, according to Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Sarawak has been asked to co-host by the Federal Government. We were told that this event had a significant budget and costs, and it was recommended that Sarawak may contribute.

Following the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 Baton Run concluding ceremony in the Kuching Division here on Sunday (June 23), he told reporters, “We (Sarawak) said we are ready, but we propose that the opening ceremony be held in Sarawak and the closing ceremony in Peninsular Malaysia.”

It was previously announced that the Youth and Sports Ministry was assessing the effects of hosting the Games and will report back to the Cabinet the following month with its findings.

In May 2022, the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) Council decided unanimously to grant Malaysia the opportunity to host the biennial Games. Malaysia has already held the Games six times, in 1965, 1971, 1977, 1989, 2001, and 2017.

The Klang Valley hosted the Games in all six of its iterations.

According to Abang Johari, Sarawak is willing to pay half of the estimated RM750 million cost of hosting the 2027 Games.

“What makes us agree to co-host? since this falls under our strategy for talent development.

In addition to the economy, sports are another area in which we cultivate potential. “We want our young people to be active, which is why I am eager for Sarawak to be a co-host,” he stated. – Bernama