KUCHING: Sarawak is stepping-up preparations as a co-host of the 2027 SEA Games with a Sarawak National Sports Integrity Conference (SNSIC) 2026 to be held here.
It is aimed at ensuring integrity, governance and sports management meet international standards.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, said the conference is an early preventive measure to identify and address integrity risks ahead of hosting international sporting events.
He said the conference, organised by the Sarawak Integrity and Ombudsman Unit (UNION) with the approval of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, would bring together expertise in sports integrity from around the world.
“That is why I would also like to thank the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), based in Bangkok, for agreeing to be the main anchor of this programme, bringing expertise from around the world in the field of sports,” he said when appearing as a guest on the ‘Juh Randau’ programme produced by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) here on Wednesday (Sept. 23).
Juanda said the three-day SNSIC 2026, themed ‘Strengthening Systems, Safeguarding Spirits: Increasing Global Standards for Sport Integrity’, would be held from September 28 to 30 at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC), here, with the opening ceremony to be officiated by the Premier.
He said the conference would feature international speakers and experts from Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore and Vienna, who would share their expertise, experiences and best practices in sports integrity and world-class sports governance.
He said the first day would focus on a high-level conference, while the second and third days would feature technical workshops on governance, procurement, finance and risk management.
Among the integrity issues to be addressed are match-fixing, illegal betting, corruption, doping, drug abuse, fraud and sabotage, he said.
Juanda said the conference would also bring together government agencies, sports bodies and other stakeholders through a cross-agency collaborative approach.
These include the Malaysian Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED), Olympic Council of Malaysia (MOM), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), State Attorney-General’s Chambers and sports associations.
Through the technical workshops, participants will conduct risk analyses and case simulations, as well as gain a deeper understanding of illegal betting detection and formulate effective resolutions and recommendations for action, he said.
Juanda said the hosting of SNSIC 2026 formed part of Sarawak’s preparations for the 2027 SEA Games and other international sporting events, ensuring all parties involved understood and complied with standards of integrity, governance and transparent administration.
