KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor will slash its budget for the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) by nearly half, reducing costs from the original RM100 million allocation to between RM40 million and RM50 million.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the cuts will primarily target ceremonial elements, while ensuring that the quality of competition remains unaffected.
“We initially allocated RM100 million for hosting SUKMA in Selangor. We are now working to reduce that by almost half,” he said at a press conference today.
“The revised budget is expected to fall within the range of RM40 million to RM50 million.”
He explained that the reductions would mainly involve scaling down opening and closing ceremonies, as well as other non-essential components. The opening ceremony, which was originally planned for the Sepang International Circuit, will no longer be held there, while the closing ceremony will proceed at a smaller, more cost-effective venue.
However, Taufiq stressed that cost-cutting measures would not compromise the technical standards of the Games.
“We do not want budget reductions to become a reason for lowering the standard of the event,” he said.
Despite earlier uncertainty, SUKMA Selangor 2026 will proceed as scheduled following discussions between the federal government, the Selangor state government, and the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Taufiq said the decision took into account the importance of athlete development and preparation for future competitions.
“The main purpose of SUKMA is to develop athletes and provide a platform for them to face bigger challenges,” he said.
He added that postponing the Games would have negatively impacted athletes due to age restrictions, while also disrupting preparations for the 2027 SEA Games.
“With the age limit set at 21, a postponement would mean many athletes becoming ineligible to compete,” he explained.
Taufiq also expressed appreciation to the Sultan of Selangor and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for their support in ensuring the Games proceed.
He emphasised that SUKMA will remain focused on sports development rather than political promotion.
“This is not about promoting politics or individuals. It is about nurturing new athletes and discovering future talent,” he said.
SUKMA Selangor 2026 is expected to begin in August, with organisers planning a 100-day countdown in the lead-up to the Games – April 30, 2026