SHAH ALAM, Aug 5 — Despite slashing the estimated cost of hosting the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and Para SUKMA to RM50 million from more than RM203 million, the state government has maintained competition standards and athletes’ welfare through targeted cost-saving measures.
State executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said the savings were achieved following cost-cutting measures decreed by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj.
The move was manageable, with spending mostly focused on competition venues and essential requirements rather than large-scale ceremonies.
“Our expenditure is focused only on the field of play without compromising the competition standards of each event and the welfare of the athletes,” he said during the question and answer session at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Najwan added that the official opening ceremony will also be held in a modest manner, featuring only a contingent parade at Dataran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam on August 15.
The RM50 million hosting cost is fully funded by the state government, while sponsorships have contributed nearly RM8 million.
He reiterated that the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) did not provide any funding for this year’s games.
“The federal government through the KBS has not channelled any funds for the organisation of the SUKMA this time,” Najwan said.
Selangor’s expenditure mainly covers technical equipment and competition management systems, accommodation, meals and subsidies for contingents, as well as the operations of the SUKMA Secretariat.
However, the local authorities have allocated an estimated RM50 million to RM70 million to upgrade existing sports facilities across Selangor in preparation for the games.
This includes refurbishing the Shah Alam Aquatic Centre and upgrading the Subang Shooting Range.
Both facilities are expected to be opened to the public after the games, with the aquatic centre scheduled to begin public operations in October.
“There is no issue of us constructing new facilities for SUKMA. We did not build any new facilities using state government funds.
“What we have done is to upgrade the existing facilities for the purpose of hosting SUKMA, and later, they will be available for use by the people of Selangor,” he said.
Najwan noted that the same approach applies to facilities upgraded by local authorities, which will also be opened for community use after the Games.
The upgrades were intended to leave a lasting legacy for residents rather than create facilities used only during the biennial national sporting event.
