Focus on 2027 SEA Games, not C’wealth, says ex-Sukom chief

Blast from the past: The Malaysian contingent marching during the opening ceremony of the 1998 Commonwealth Games at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

PETALING JAYA: Forget about hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games and just focus on organising the 2027 SEA Games.

This was the advice to the government from former executive chairman of Sukom Ninety Eight Berhad, Jen (rtd) Tan Sri Hashim Mohd Ali as Malaysia weighs in on an offer from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to consider stepping in to replace Australia as the hosts.

Australia has turned it down due to escalating cost.

Former executive chairman of Sukom Ninety Eight Berhad Jen (rtd) Tan Sri Hashim Mohd Ali.

CGF are offering about RM600mil for the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to run the Games.

OCM are keen to host but the Youth and Sports Ministry will have to get an approval from the Cabinet next week.

Hashim, 86, said it was an impossible mission to run the Commonwealth Games in just two years.

“There are of course several factors to look at but I think, time is against Malaysia. Two years is simply not enough,” said Hashim.

“We need at least four years to make all the preparation. Do we have the funds to host it? Organising this event should not be a burden to the public.

“We are already going to host the SEA Games in 2027, and it will be too much to host another Games just before that.”

Hashim should know. He led Malaysia’s preparations for four years before the country hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

“We formed a company and looked for corporate sponsors as we did not want to burden the government.

“Sponsors need long exposures for the huge amount they invest, and two years will not give them the visibility they want,” he said.

Despite all the effort and preparation, the Malaysian organisers were unable to close their accounts after the Games in 1998, with more than RM10mil in debt accrued.

Hashim said he had written an autobiography “General Freddie Hashim as I remember” and one part of it covered on the 1998 Games.

“Hosting the Commonwealth Games was a big success but there were also things that I’ve learnt... I’ve penned it all down in my book,” he said.