SEA Games 2027: Malaysia Set sights On Repeating 2017 Glory
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) remains optimistic about retaining its overall champions status at the 2027 SEA Games to be hosted by Malaysia, with a clear planning framework and timeline already in place to ensure medal targets are achieved.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the national contingent’s success at the SEA Games in Thailand last December has served as a catalyst for more comprehensive preparations ahead of the biennial Games.
“InsyaAllah, we will not waver. We are very optimistic about retaining the championship (as in 2017) and our ranking. We will ensure Malaysia emerge as the best at the 2027 SEA Games.
“Our timeline is clear and we need the cooperation of all teams under the KBS. I am confident that with this strong team combination, we can move towards that goal,” he told reporters after the Youth and Sports Minister’s Address at the National Sports Council (MSN) here today.
He stressed that hosting the 2027 SEA Games is not only important in terms of sporting achievements, but also reflects the confidence of the international community in Malaysia’s leadership in organising international-standard sporting events.
At the Thailand 2025 edition, Malaysia rebounded to collect 57 gold, 57 silver and 117 bronze medals, ending the campaign with a total of 231 medals.
The tally indirectly surpassed the earlier target of 200 medals and created a new record for the highest overall medal haul at a SEA Games held outside Kuala Lumpur, surpassing the previous record of 216 medals set at the 2007 edition in Korat, Thailand.
The last time Malaysia hosted the Games in 2017, the national contingent emerged as overall champions after collecting 145 gold, 92 silver and 86 bronze medals.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Taufiq said additional incentives have been introduced under the Sports Victory Reward Scheme (SHAKAM), which was last reviewed in 2014, to ensure its continued relevance in line with the current needs of national athletes.
“We have also announced additional incentives under SHAKAM, namely RM20,000 for a gold medal, RM3,000 for silver and RM1,000 for bronze. The welfare of athletes, coaches and facility equipment will continue to be improved,” he said.
Mohammed Taufiq also confirmed that the Athlete Centre developed for the use of national athletes has been fully completed and is scheduled to be officially opened next month.
“We have also established an Athlete Centre at the MSN so that athletes can relax and rest in a conducive environment to safeguard their mental health,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, he said approval has also been granted for the expansion of the incentive scheme to cover Youth Sports Games, Deaf Sports Games as well as Major Para Sports Championships.
“This approval involves an allocation of RM10 million annually. It reflects the government’s continued commitment to ensuring the welfare and comprehensive recognition of all athletes,” he said.
— BERNAMA
