KUCHING: The Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) is still waiting for funding from the federal government to support the state government in hosting the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA XXI) Sarawak 2024.

Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Rahman Karim Hamzah said Sarawak has requested an allocation of RM100 million from the federal government for this purpose.

He mentioned that the state government is spending no less than RM300 million to organise SUKMA XXI, which is scheduled to take place from August 17 to 24.

"We are requesting at least RM100 million...for the organisation of SUKMA.

"During SUKMA 2016, they only provided RM40 million, which was just for Kuching and Sibu, and there were fewer sports events.

"Our ceiling for hosting SUKMA XXI is no less than RM300 million," he said during a press conference after delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Session on Monday.

He said the Sarawak government is spending around RM200 million to prepare all sports facilities needed for the biennial event.

He added that 24 sports facilities are currently being upgraded, while three new ones are being built: the Sarawak Cricket and Rugby Ground, Wushu Training and Competition Centre, and Sarawak Sports Village.

Addressing the organisation of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2027, Dato Sri Abdul Karim said the Sarawak government might collaborate with Kuala Lumpur to host the prestigious event.

The Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) explained that this decision was made considering that Sarawak still lacks world-class sports facilities required to host the various sports events.

Further details about the hosting of the SEA Games will be announced soon, he added.

"When the time comes, we will announce the number of sports to be held there (in Kuala Lumpur) and here.

"But I am confident that we will be the host, for the first time outside of Kuala Lumpur," he said, noting that the estimated cost of hosting the SEA Games is expected to exceed RM700 million.

Also present at the press conference were MYSED Deputy Ministers, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu and Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, MTCP Deputy Minister, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Telang Usan Assemblyman, Dato Dennis Ngau, and others. -UKASnews