KUALA LUMPUR (March 21): The Ministry of Youth and Sports has called for prudent spending, should the government decide to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh said that the ministry holds the stance that expenditures must not surpass the RM603 million grant offered by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), should the government decide to host the games.
"Taking into consideration the taxpayers' money if need to be used, the best option that the government may take is to not organise it," Yeoh said during the ministerial question time session in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.
Yeoh added that the ministry is prepared to appoint a control body to audit the organising account if a decision is made for Malaysia to host it, as this is among feedback provided by related stakeholders, including Olympians.
"Most importantly, the ministry wants to ensure good governance and transparent financial management, with all costs and expenses recorded in an orderly manner," she said.
Nevertheless, Yeoh said that the ministry does not want to preempt the Cabinet, which is set to meet on Friday (March 22) to decide on the fate of the games.
"I believe the Cabinet’s decision will prioritise the nation’s interests, while considering the welfare of the people," she added.
The fate of the 2026 Commonwealth Games remains uncertain after Victoria in Australia, originally slated to host the 23rd edition, withdrew in July last year due to a significant increase in hosting costs, from the initial estimate of A$2.6 billion (approximately RM8.11 billion) to A$7 billion (approximately RM21.84 billion).
The state of Victoria is also reported to have agreed to pay A$380 million (approximately RM1.186 billion) for breaching the contract to host the event, which is scheduled to take place from March 17 to 29, 2026.
Of the 74 countries and territories that are members of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), only England, Canada, Australia, Wales, New Zealand, Jamaica, Scotland, India and Malaysia (1998) have ever hosted the event.
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