Penang To Follow Host’s Call On 2026 SUKMA Games - Chow

GEORGE TOWN, April 21 (Bernama) -- Penang has left it entirely to the Selangor state government to make a decision on the decree by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, regarding the appropriateness of postponing the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA).

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang would respect and follow whatever decision was made.

“We will follow developments (regarding any decision on the organisation of SUKMA) as our athletes have already entered the final phase of preparation, considering the Games are scheduled for August, and we are now approaching May.

“Selangor is the host, so it is up to Selangor to decide together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports on the matter. If the host does not organise it, then other states do not need to attend. That is subject to the organiser’s decision,” he told reporters here today.

He was met after officiating the launch of the BE Associate programme by the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) here today.

Yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that the hosting of SUKMA in Selangor should be postponed until the crisis in West Asia subsided and the redevelopment of Shah Alam Stadium was fully completed.

Meanwhile, Chow said the state government had yet to decide on the implementation of the work-from-home (WFH) policy for state civil servants, and the matter would be discussed at the State Executive Council (MMK) meeting tomorrow.

He said any decision on the implementation of WFH, including the estimated number of civil servants who may be involved, would only be determined after the meeting, taking into account current needs and views from relevant parties to ensure the smooth running of the state administration.

“There is no decision yet as there was no meeting last week, so we will continue discussions (at the MMK meeting) tomorrow,” he said.

The Federal Government implemented the WFH policy for about 200,000 federal civil servants beginning April 15, following the global supply crisis, while some essential services sectors, such as health, education and security, were exempted.

-- BERNAMA