KUALA LUMPUR: All upgrading and improvement works at venues for the 2027 SEA Games are expected to be fully completed by the first quarter of next year, says Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari.
He said his ministry, through the Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (Masoc) 2027 Secretariat, would continue monitoring the progress of these projects to ensure they are completed within the stipulated timeframe.
"Overall, upgrading and improvement works at the venues are expected to be fully completed by the first quarter of 2027," he said in a written parliamentary reply to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) on Tuesday (Nov 4).
Saifuddin had asked about the readiness of infrastructure and competition venues for the Games.
Taufiq said several upgrading projects were progressing according to schedule, including the replacement of the running track at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium and improvements to facilities at the National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
According to him, both projects have passed the halfway mark of implementation.
"In Sarawak, several projects are ahead of schedule, including upgrading works at the Sarawak Petanque Centre, archery range, Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association courts and Sarawak Squash Centre.
"Improvement works are ongoing at several stadiums in Johor, including the Tan Sri Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Larkin, Pasir Gudang City Council Stadium and Azman Hashim Stadium at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
"The remaining stadium projects in the state are currently undergoing procurement processes," he said.
Taufiq said several venues were already prepared for the Games without requiring physical upgrades.
These include the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor and selected convention facilities in Penang.
In Kuala Lumpur, he said roof replacement works at the clubhouse of the Bukit Kiara Sports Complex were completed in July.
"The 34th SEA Games, scheduled from Sept 18 to 29 next year, will feature 43 sports across four clusters.
"Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak will each host 18 sports, followed by Penang with six and Johor with one.
"The opening ceremony will take place at Sarawak Stadium in Kuching on Sept 18, while the closing ceremony will be held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Sept 29.
"The 14th Asean Para Games will subsequently take place from Oct 17 to 23, with all 18 sports being held in Kuala Lumpur," he said.
Taufiq said hosting the Games across four clusters would optimise the use of existing facilities, allow for more efficient cost management and stimulate local economies.
He added that the ministry remained committed to ensuring that all competition venues meet international technical standards ahead of the Games.
