SHAH ALAM, Apr 27 – The 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) should be managed in a more efficient and cost-effective manner while remaining a strategic investment in youth athlete development and Malaysia’s long-term sports achievement, said state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.
He said that it remains an important national platform for nurturing young talent and should not be viewed merely as a sporting event.
“SUKMA is not just a sporting event but the highest platform for young athletes under the age of 21 in the national sports ecosystem.
“This is where the talent development chain begins, which will go on to elevate the country’s name on the international stage, whether at the SEA Games, the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, or the Olympic Games.
“Selangor has won the championship nine times out of 21 editions and was the first state to win six consecutive SUKMA titles in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006,” he said in his winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Najwan added that spending must be managed carefully in organising the Games, in line with the Sultan of Selangor’s call for responsible governance.
As such, the state government is working to reduce the previously announced RM100 million allocation and is currently in discussions with the Federal government and relevant stakeholders to ensure shared responsibility in hosting the games.
“We are refining the planning and cost structure so that SUKMA can be implemented in a more efficient and high-impact manner without compromising quality,” he said.
The councillor noted that Selangor has scheduled meetings with Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and the SUKMA Special Committee to finalise preparations and financial details ahead of the Games.
Despite cost considerations, SUKMA must continue to be strengthened as a long-term investment in developing Malaysia’s sporting excellence.
“We will ensure that every decision is made transparently, responsibly and with careful spending, so that public funds are optimised,” Najwan said.
