KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor is seeking federal financial assistance to help shoulder the rising cost of staging the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma), amid concerns that the state has yet to receive the customary allocation typically extended to previous host states.
State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Exco Mohd Najwan Halimi said discussions are ongoing with the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) to secure a grant or form of support, as the state prepares for the large-scale multi-sport event scheduled next year.
“I have been informed that in previous editions of Sukma, whether in Sarawak, Perlis or Perak when they hosted, it was quite common and part of standard practice for the federal government to provide some form of allocation or financial assistance,” he said when contacted.
“What is somewhat surprising this time is that the Selangor government has not yet received any allocation from the federal government.
“So we are continuing our efforts. If possible, we are hoping that KBS can look into providing some form of grant or financial assistance to help the state manage the overall cost of organising Sukma,” he added.
Najwan said any potential funding would also help the state provide clearer financial justification to members of the state legislative assembly, in line with the views expressed by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who has raised concerns over the scale and cost of hosting the games.
“If we are able to secure this funding support, it will certainly make it easier for us to present and clarify matters in the state assembly, and it would also be in line with his royal highness’ advice regarding the need to reassess and adjust certain cost structures where necessary,” he said.
He also acknowledged that feedback from ongoing debates in the state assembly on the royal address would be consolidated and brought to the 2026 Sukma supreme committee for further deliberation.
At the same time, Najwan confirmed that discussions had taken place regarding the Sultan’s suggestion that Sukma could be postponed, citing the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the need for the Shah Alam Stadium to be fully completed before the games are held.
He said the matter had also prompted questions over whether there had been any direct communication with Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, with the state maintaining that further engagement would depend on the outcome of ongoing consultations and committee deliberations.
“After the conclusion of the current proceedings, I believe there will be an opportunity for myself and the minister to sit down and provide a clearer briefing, and if required, we may also seek an audience with his royal highness,” he said.
“However, this will depend on the outcome of the discussions and deliberations in the assembly,” he added.
Sukma is scheduled to take place from August 15 to 24, featuring 474 events across 37 sports.
Selangor last hosted the biennial Games in 1998, marking one of the early editions of Sukma in its modern rotational format before hosting rights were more widely distributed among Malaysian states in subsequent years. - April 21, 2026
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