CGA Malaysia president Norza Zakaria, who is also Olympic Council of Malaysia president, said organising the games would yield socio-economic benefits and put the nation back on the global sporting map.

“The last time Malaysia hosted the Commonwealth Games was in 1998, thus CGA Malaysia is of the opinion that the government should consider this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – and the associated support and financial investment – which will build on the success of Kuala Lumpur 1998.

“With the existing world-class facilities, Malaysia is well-equipped to host an international event of Commonwealth magnitude involving 74 nations and territories. It will also elevate the standard of Malaysian sports much like the way it did following the 1998 Games.

“To this end, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and CGA Malaysia have offered an attractive proposal to the government,” he said in a statement.

Norza said CGF had offered Malaysia the chance to replace Victoria, Australia, as hosts of the quadrennial games involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Australian state had in July last year announced its withdrawal as hosts of the 2026 edition of the games due to a spike in the projected cost of staging the multi-sports event.

“CGF’s offer includes a significant financial investment of £100 million (about RM600 million) to support the local delivery and legacy planning of the 2026 edition,” Norza said.

On Saturday, youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said the Cabinet will decide on the matter soon.

Malaysia was the first country in Asia to have been given the honour of hosting the games when Kuala Lumpur hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998.