Abdul Karim: Don’t underestimate Sarawak’s capability to host 2027 SEA Games
by samuel aubrey · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Dec 30): Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has urged the public not to underestimate Sarawak’s capability to host the 2027 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, stressing that the state is no stranger to staging major international sporting events.
According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, he said Sarawak has a proven track record in hosting prestigious competitions and is confident of delivering a successful SEA Games, although meticulous planning and preparation are required, particularly for the opening ceremony.
“Of course we need to be prepared. That is why I recently went with a delegation from MySED (Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development) to Bangkok to observe the venues and overall organisation of the SEA Games there,” he told reporters after attending the rehearsal session for the 2026 New Year Countdown at the Kuching Waterfront last night.
Abdul Karim said he was also present during the opening ceremony in Bangkok and believed Sarawak could stage an event of similar standard, if not better.
“We also observed some of the issues faced during the early stages of the competition there, such as food and transportation. These are important lessons for us as we plan ahead,” he added.
He noted that preparations for facilities are ongoing, with competition venues undergoing continuous upgrading involving costs running into hundreds of millions of ringgit, including expenses related to inauguration and overall organisation.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, revealed that the Sarawak government has allocated RM350 million for the organisation of the 2027 SEA Games.
He expressed hope that no party would belittle Sarawak’s commitment and long-term efforts to develop the sports industry, saying the state is focused on building a strong and sustainable sporting ecosystem for the future.
It was reported that the National Sports Council has decided all 17 sports events for the 2027 SEA Games, which Sarawak is co-hosting, will take place in Kuching.
Malaysia will, for the first time, use a four-cluster hosting model to spread competition venues across Sarawak, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur.
Sarawak will serve as the main cluster, hosting the opening ceremony along with 17 sports, namely aquatics, weightlifting, basketball, bowling, lawn bowls, esports, gymnastics, golf, cricket, archery, shooting, muay, petanque, squash, taekwondo, tennis and wushu.