KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced that the government will make a decision regarding the offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in a Cabinet meeting on Friday (March 22). She emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough analysis before making a decision, highlighting the need to prioritize the people’s interests and ensure responsible use of taxpayers’ money.
Yeoh stressed that the Youth and Sports Ministry is committed to adopting a conservative financial approach and avoiding wasteful spending, even if they are prepared to host the Games. She made these statements in response to a query from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) during the Ministers’ Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat.
Following Australia’s withdrawal from hosting the Games last year due to significant increases in organizing costs, there have been concerns about the financial implications of Malaysia hosting the event. Yeoh acknowledged these concerns and highlighted the necessity of ensuring that the expenses do not exceed the RM603 million grant provided by the CGF.
She emphasized the need for prudent spending to avoid straining the country’s resources, stating that the final decision rests with the Cabinet. Yeoh also mentioned the possibility of appointing a monitoring body to conduct audits if Malaysia proceeds with hosting the Games, ensuring transparent financial management.
Afnan Hamimi expressed his agreement with the ministry’s cautious approach and called for a review of past experiences, such as the financial losses incurred during Sukom 1998 and the bankruptcy of Birmingham after hosting a similar event. He stressed the importance of learning from these past cases and conducting a financial forecast and assessment before making a decision.
Onn Abu Bakar (PH-Batu Pahat) suggested scaling down the number of sporting events and utilizing venues outside of Kuala Lumpur, including utilizing the over 27,000 unsold homes, if Malaysia decides to host the Games. These suggestions aimed to optimize resources and minimize potential financial risks associated with hosting a major international event.
In conclusion, the decision on whether Malaysia will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be determined in the upcoming Cabinet meeting, where considerations about financial implications, transparency, and the welfare of the people will be paramount. The statements made by government officials and lawmakers indicate a cautious and responsible approach towards hosting international sporting events while prioritizing the interests of the nation and its citizens.
