KUCHING: Sarawak has put pen to paper on a deed of guarantee committing RM350 million to co-organise the 2027 SEA Games, confirming equal cost-sharing with the Federal Government.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the guarantee was formalised through the deed to assure the federal Cabinet of the state’s financial commitment to staging the regional multi-sport event.
He explained that the total organisational cost is estimated at RM700 million, with both Sarawak and the Federal Government contributing RM350 million each, excluding infrastructure upgrades, which will be borne separately by the state.
Abdul Karim revealed that costs have risen from RM650 million during Malaysia’s last SEA Games in 2017.
“Whoever takes up the hosting must contribute half of the total cost. The other half will be taken care of by the Federal Government,” he said.
The state’s commitment was finalised after he sought confirmation from Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg before signing the guarantee letter.
“This is not ‘air liur only’ (not just empty promises). A deed of guarantee was prepared and sent to my ministry. I brought the letter to the Premier – who is going to sign this?
“He told me, ‘Karim, you should sign it’. So I signed to commit the state to the RM350 million,” he told a press conference after receiving a courtesy visit from Federal Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Mordi Bimol, today (Feb 13).
Also present were Stampin Member of Parliament, Chong Chieng Jen, and Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (MASOC) 2027 Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Abdul Rashid Yaakub.
Abdul Karim added that Sarawak is taking a central role in hosting duties, including staging 17 sports and the opening ceremony – the first time the ceremony will be held in the state.
He said the federal portion of the funding would be distributed among other participating host states, such as Penang and Johor.
Preparations are progressing steadily, with weekly coordination meetings and venue upgrades being monitored closely to ensure completion at least three months before the Games.
Meanwhile, Mordi pledged full federal cooperation in supporting Sarawak’s preparations, noting that as a Sarawakian serving at the federal level, he would help facilitate coordination between agencies.
“We give full trust to Datuk Seri Abdul Karim as the head of the organising committee. We will assist in whatever we can,” he said.
