SUKMA 2026: Selangor Cuts Cost By Nearly Half, Maintains Competition Standards

PUTRAJAYA, April 30 (Bernama) -- The Selangor government will implement cost-saving measures by reducing almost half of the original cost of hosting the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA), scheduled to be held from Aug 15-24.

State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said the original allocation of RM100 million would be reduced to around RM40 million to RM50 million. 

He said the move was taken in line with the decree of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who gave his consent for the Games to proceed with cost-saving measures and prudent spending.

“Given the current situation, we are trying to reduce almost half of the original cost. So, it is likely to be in the range of RM40 million to RM50 million, and we are currently working out the figures for the reduction.

“So, many of the cuts involve ceremonial events, we are scaling them down…,” he told a press conference after the 2026 SUKMA Supreme Committee meeting at Menara KBS here today.

Mohd Najwan said that the SUKMA 2026 opening ceremony, scheduled to be held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), and the closing ceremony will still be held, but on a smaller, more symbolic scale to avoid waste.

In addition to ceremonial events, cost reductions will also involve scaling down the number of volunteers from the initial target of 30,000 to under 5,000, while existing sports facilities will be fully utilised without involving the construction of new infrastructure. 

Despite the budget cuts, he assured that the technical aspects and quality of competition will not be affected to ensure athletes can perform at their highest level.

“In terms of competition and technical aspects, we will implement them according to the stipulated standards and regulations. We do not want the cost-cutting measures to become a reason for us to lower the standards of the Games,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said that so far the state government will bear the cost of organising the Games, while discussions are underway with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) regarding the need to share facilities.

According to him, several infrastructure previously planned for rental may be replaced by using facilities owned by the National Sports Council (NSC).

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, who chaired today’s meeting, expressed his appreciation to the Sultan of Selangor for consenting to proceed with SUKMA 2026 for the development of athletes and national sports.

Previously, Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that the Games be postponed following the ongoing crisis in West Asia and until the redevelopment of the Shah Alam Stadium is fully completed. 

However, His Royal Highness gave his consent for the biennial Games to proceed in a prudent manner after granting an audience to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

-- BERNAMA