In an effort to preserve the environment, Khairy stated that he had already instructed the SEA Games secretariat to ensure an environmentally-friendly Games.

Khairy provided several examples, such as having recycling bins all around Kuala Lumpur during the games – as opposed to only having rubbish bins – and less usage of plastic bags for food and merchandise vendors during the Games.

“The SEA Games are going to attract the attention of the entire world. We want them to see that these are initiatives that they can take in their daily lives,” said Khairy.

He was speaking to reporters after closing the Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association of Malayisa (PPSEAWA) Conference, in which he also urged Malaysians to “tell people off” when they see somebody committing an “environmental crime”.

“It is not enough for us to tell ourselves; we must also tell other people.

“If you see somebody littering or throwing a cigarette on the floor, tell them off even if they are older than you.

“Be nice about it, say ‘mak cik, you shouldn’t be doing that’ or something along those lines.

“Malaysians are notorious for being negative when it comes to issues regarding the environment,” said Khairy.

The 29th SEA Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 19 to Aug 31, 2017.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) said earlier today that they are determined to make a clean sweep of all four gold medals to be contested in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

Its president, Subahan Kamal, pledged to sweep two gold medals in indoor hockey, which will be contested for the first time, and two gold medals in field hockey.

Malaysia has won the gold medal in men’s field hockey 15 times while the women’s team won it on six occasions.