KUALA LUMPUR: The 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma), hosted by the state of Selangor, will proceed as planned following the consent of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
In a statement on Sunday (April 26), the Ministry of Youth and Sports said His Royal Highness agreed to the Games from Aug 15-24 with cost-saving measures and prudent spending in place, following an audience with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on April 23.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr MohdTaufiq Johari expressed his gratitude to the Sultan for his consent and thanked the Prime Minister for prioritising the nation's young athletes in deciding to proceed with the Games.
"Moreover, Sukma serves as a key platform for selecting and preparing young athletes to represent Malaysia at the SEA Games, which will be held here next year," he said.
Taufiq added that he had discussed the matter with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who pledged the state government's full cooperation to ensure the Games is effectively organised.
"I have also received consent to have an audience with His Royal Highness on Wednesday (April 29), together with the Selangor executive council members for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneurship, to update on the latest planning developments for the hosting of Sukma," he said.
He added that the secretariat will present the latest update on preparations, especially the cost-saving measures aligned with the Sultan's consent, at a special supreme committee meeting this Thursday.
Taufiq further said that any additional information regarding the Games would be announced after this special meeting.
Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin had decreed that SUKMA Selangor 2026 should be postponed until both the crisis in West Asia is resolved and the redevelopment of the Shah Alam Stadium is fully completed. - Bernama
