KUALA LUMPUR – The Selangor state government will table a suggestion made by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to postpone the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) until the crisis in West Asia is resolved, for discussion in the upcoming state legislative assembly (DUN) sitting.
State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship EXCO member Mohd Najwan Halimi said the matter will be presented in the state assembly for consideration, as SUKMA is a national sporting event involving coordination between state governments and the Youth and Sports Ministry.
“We extend our deepest appreciation and highest respect for his royal highness’ decree, which outlines several important considerations and reminders for the state government. At the same time, it reflects thoughtful views and suggestions that we must take seriously and act upon accordingly.
“Overall, Tuanku’s decree is holistic in nature. It is a considered perspective that deserves our full attention. Insya-Allah, this will become one of the key and interesting matters to be discussed in the upcoming state assembly sitting,” he said when contacted.
Najwan added that all assembly members would be given the opportunity to express their views before any decision is made on whether to proceed with or postpone the games.
“We want to allow all ADUNs (state assembly members) to deliberate and express their views during the sitting. From there, the state government will carefully examine all perspectives and determine whether there is a need to postpone or proceed with the games.
“After that process, we will look at all the inputs gathered from the discussion on his royal highness’ decree and take the most appropriate course of action. The decision will not be made lightly, as it involves national coordination as well as long-term sporting considerations,” he said.
He also stressed that Sultan Sharafuddin’s views should be taken as a guiding consideration by the state government, particularly in relation to financial implications and current global developments.
“We must not misinterpret Tuanku’s remarks. The decree clearly reflects a viewpoint that takes into account both the appropriateness of proceeding and the possibility of postponement, considering current realities, including cost implications and broader circumstances,” he said.
Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin had suggested that SUKMA be postponed until the crisis in West Asia is resolved and until the Shah Alam Stadium is fully completed.
His Royal Highness also noted that hosting the national multi-sport event would require a substantial financial commitment from the state government.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari earlier this month said the Games would be held on a smaller scale to reduce organising costs without reducing the number of sports and events contested.
He said the organising committee decided to do so after taking into account the global energy crisis and its economic impact, which is also being felt in Malaysia.
“The cost-saving measures will not affect the quality of sports, athletes or anything related to the competitions themselves. They are more focused on ceremonial aspects and avoiding excessive spending,” Taufik was reported saying.
The biennial Games is scheduled from August 15 to 24.
The last time Selangor hosted SUKMA was in 1998, when the state last organised the games.
That edition was also significant as it featured Selangor as one of the early hosts in the modern SUKMA cycle, before hosting rights began rotating more widely among Malaysian states in later years. – April 20, 2026