(Kuching, 21st) With news circulating that the situation in the Middle East may affect the event, whether the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) will be held as scheduled in August remains uncertain. Sarawak has stated that it will accept any final decision regarding the postponement of the event.
Datuk Seri Abdul Karim, Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, said he had recently received news that the event might be postponed rather than cancelled. However, he emphasized that there has not yet been any formal confirmation from the Selangor State Government or relevant units.
"I learned that the Sultan of Selangor has suggested postponing SUKMA until after the Middle East crisis ends," he told the media on Monday (April 20), after attending the opening ceremony of the Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum in Kuching.
He stressed that the news has not been confirmed and is currently only circulating in mainstream media and on social media.
Although the situation remains unclear, Abdul Karim said Sarawak will respect any decision made by the Selangor State Government, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the National Sports Council.
"If Selangor decides not to hold SUKMA as originally planned, we will accept it," he said.
Meanwhile, he also admitted that Sarawak has already invested a lot of resources in the event, including athlete training programs and the logistical arrangements for the delegation.
He added that because the competition venues are distributed across multiple areas in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, the authorities have also coordinated accommodation arrangements in advance to ensure that the participating teams’ accommodations and facilities are adequate.
"If there really is a postponement, it would indeed be disappointing, and I feel sad. But ultimately the decision still needs to be made by the relevant authorities," he said.
At the moment, Sarawak will wait for the official announcement before deciding whether to adjust preparation arrangements.
Datuk Seri Abdul Karim, Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, said he had recently received news that the event might be postponed rather than cancelled. However, he emphasized that there has not yet been any formal confirmation from the Selangor State Government or relevant units.
"I learned that the Sultan of Selangor has suggested postponing SUKMA until after the Middle East crisis ends," he told the media on Monday (April 20), after attending the opening ceremony of the Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum in Kuching.
Although the situation remains unclear, Abdul Karim said Sarawak will respect any decision made by the Selangor State Government, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the National Sports Council.
"If Selangor decides not to hold SUKMA as originally planned, we will accept it," he said.
Meanwhile, he also admitted that Sarawak has already invested a lot of resources in the event, including athlete training programs and the logistical arrangements for the delegation.
He added that because the competition venues are distributed across multiple areas in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, the authorities have also coordinated accommodation arrangements in advance to ensure that the participating teams’ accommodations and facilities are adequate.
"If there really is a postponement, it would indeed be disappointing, and I feel sad. But ultimately the decision still needs to be made by the relevant authorities," he said.
At the moment, Sarawak will wait for the official announcement before deciding whether to adjust preparation arrangements.