KUCHING: Sarawak Stadium will undergo a three-month series of test runs ahead of the 2027 SEA Games, with upgrading works scheduled for completion well before the September showpiece.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said although the upgrading project is contractually set for completion on Jan 29, 2027, the state has fixed June 2027 as its operational readiness benchmark.
“We are setting the target not one or two months before the SEA Games, but by June.
“That gives us about three months to conduct the necessary test events and trials,” he told reporters after the handover of the upgrading and repair project at the stadium here today (Feb 12).
Works on the RM184,321,805 project commenced on Jan 30, 2026, with Hartanah Construction Sdn Bhd appointed as the contractor and Jurutera Perunding Kenyalang Sdn Bhd as the lead consultant.
The upgrading works include roof replacement and roof truss repainting, seating terrace and structural repairs, construction of a new grand main entrance, façade improvements, as well as civil and landscaping works.
Abdul Karim said the new roof truss system will significantly transform the stadium’s external appearance.
“From the outside, the design will totally change. There will be a new roof truss and a grand main entrance to accommodate official motorcades, including for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak and the Premier of Sarawak,” he said.
All seating in the 40,000-capacity stadium will be replaced with foldable seats, while interior areas including VIP holding rooms will be upgraded to meet international event standards.
“It is only right that we modernise the facility to meet current demands and international expectations,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim clarified that the pitch is not included in the current upgrading scope, as heavy staging during the opening ceremony could damage the playing surface.
“The pitch upgrading will be done after the SEA Games. We plan to enhance the sub-surface and underground systems to ensure better long-term quality,” he explained.
Malaysia will host the 2027 SEA Games from Sept 18 to 29 across four clusters – Sarawak, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur – featuring 38 sports, with Sarawak set to host 17 of them.
Also present at the handover were Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Operations), Datuk Hii Chang Kee; Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak Director, Dr Cassidy Morris; and MYSED Permanent Secretary, Dzulkarnain Masron.
