KUCHING – The Sarawak Government has earmarked an initial RM120 million to host the 34th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2027, alongside a separate RM144 million allocation to upgrade 11 major sports facilities ahead of the regional competition.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg announced the allocations during the Second Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly on Monday. Kuching will serve as the main hub for the Games, with the upgraded venues expected to be ready for competition by mid-2027.
The Premier said the RM120 million would provide initial funding for hosting arrangements, while the RM144 million would support improvements to sports infrastructure. The allocations form part of preparations to accommodate athletes and competitions for the regional multi-sport event.
The 11 facilities identified for upgrading include Sarawak Stadium, Sarawak Indoor Stadium, the Lawn Bowls Arena, Wushu Training Centre, Sarawak Lawn Tennis Centre, Sarawak Shooting Range, Sarawak Squash Centre, Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, Sarawak Archery Centre and Sarawak Petanque Centre.
The improvements are intended to prepare the venues for competition and strengthen the state’s ability to stage major sporting events. Meeting the mid-2027 readiness target will be an important part of the preparations, as facilities must be suitable for their respective sports before competition begins.
The Premier said the infrastructure investment would also support Sarawak’s ambitions to host other international sporting events in the future, including the Islamic Solidarity Games in 2029. Upgrading facilities for the SEA Games could therefore have a longer-term role in the state’s sporting plans beyond the 2027 competition.
However, the delivery of these benefits will depend on the completion of the planned works and the ability of the facilities to meet the operational requirements of different sporting events. Venue readiness, maintenance and effective management will remain relevant considerations in making use of the upgraded infrastructure after the Games.
In addition to the SEA Games allocations, the state has set aside RM5 million for the Sarawak Games 2027, known as SUKSAR. The event is intended to provide a preparatory platform for athletes ahead of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2028.
SUKSAR is expected to form part of the state’s wider athlete development pathway, giving local competitors opportunities to gain experience before the national-level competition. Such preparation can help athletes and sporting bodies assess performance and identify areas requiring further training.
A further RM21 million has been allocated to support sports and recreational facilities across all divisions in Sarawak. According to the Premier, the funding is intended to widen public access to sporting activities, create opportunities for talent development and encourage residents to maintain active lifestyles.
The allocation for facilities across the state’s divisions extends the focus beyond venues used for major competitions. Access to community sports and recreational infrastructure can provide residents with more opportunities to participate in physical activities while helping local athletes develop their abilities closer to home.
Taken together, the allocations cover event hosting, upgrades to major competition venues, preparations for SUKSAR and support for sports and recreation facilities across Sarawak.
The immediate priority is to prepare the identified venues for the SEA Games by mid-2027, while the wider programme is intended to support future competitions and broader participation in sport. – Sarawak Daily
