KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Operating costs for the Malaysian Games (SUKMA) in Selangor this year have been reduced by 67 per cent with cost-cutting moves and resource optimisation, said Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol.
He said the savings would not compromise safety, athletes’ welfare or the quality of competition at the biennial tournament.
“The cost-saving approach is based on the principle of optimising resources through the use of existing facilities. The reduction in operating costs and adjustments to the scope of the Games have been made without compromising technical standards and essential requirements.
“For this edition, existing facilities will only be upgraded where necessary to ensure sporting events can be conducted according to the required standards, enabling the facilities to continue benefiting the local community after the Games,” he said during Question Time in the Dewan Negara today.
He was responding to a question from Senator Tiew Way Keng on coordination between the federal government, the SUKMA Supreme Committee, and the Selangor government on cost-saving strategies for SUKMA 2026.
Mordi explained that unlike in previous editions, SUKMA Selangor 2026 Secretariat would only provide daily allowances to about 12,000 athletes and officials, while accommodation, meals and transport costs would be managed by state contingents.
He said the decentralised approach, without a centralised Games village, would also generate direct economic benefits for businesses and local communities in Selangor.
“A total of 640 accommodation premises will be used by the contingents, creating opportunities for hotel operators, homestay providers and local businesses to benefit economically from the Games,” he said.
Responding to a supplementary question from Senator Larry Asap on federal government aid, Mordi said the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) would provide about RM1.75 million to ensure SUKMA runs smoothly.
The allocation comprises RM1 million for technical officials, RM350,000 for 54 technical delegates, RM100,000 for the classification of Para SUKMA athletes, and RM300,000 for doping control programmes conducted by the Malaysian Anti-Doping Agency (ADAMAS).
Apart from financial aid, he said Putrajaya would also avail facilities owned by the National Sports Council (NSC), including the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Semiblan, at a discounted rate, as well as the Selangor Youth and Sports Complex to host the futsal, para archery and para badminton competitions.
