KUCHING: Sarawak’s ability to host the 2027 SEA Games should not be underestimated, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister stressed the state was experienced in hosting international sporting events and remained confident in its capacity to organise the regional multi-sport meet.
He said hosting the SEA Games would not pose a problem for his ministry, although detailed preparations were necessary to ensure smooth execution, particularly for the opening ceremony.
“Of course we need to be prepared and that’s why I recently went with a delegation from the ministry to Bangkok, Thailand to see the venues where the event would be held.
“I was also there during the opening ceremony and I believe we can hold it like what was held there, and possibly even better than that.
“We also saw issues and problems at the initial stage of the competition there such as food, transportation and others,” he told the reporters during the rehearsal session of the 2026 New Year Countdown at the Kuching Waterfront last night (Dec 29).
Abdul Karim said preparations in Sarawak were ongoing, with competition venues being upgraded at a cost running into hundreds of millions of ringgit, including organisational and ceremonial expenses.
He added that the Sarawak government had allocated RM350 million for the organisation of the 2027 SEA Games.
He asserted that the state’s efforts to develop the sports industry were planned with a long-term outlook.
