Nazifuddin said Malaysia had never once rejected an offer to host the South-East Asian Games as to do so could affect the country’s reputation.

Countries which turned down the offer to play host were usually “small ones” that did not have the means, he said, according to Bernama. “So it’s not reasonable for us to reject it as it would give a bad impression to other countries.”

On the estimated RM700 million cost to host the 2027 Games, Nazifuddin said such costs were expected but it depended on the number of sports being contested, the venues and athletes’ accommodation.

Yesterday, the youth and sports ministry said they would engage stakeholders to look at the financial impact of the 2027 SEA Games as well as to gauge the interest of other states in hosting the games.

The SEA Games Federation in May 2022 unanimously agreed to hand the rights to organise the 2027 SEA Games to Malaysia after Brunei withdrew, while Thailand and Singapore would be allowed to host the games in 2025 and 2029.

The 2027 SEA Games will be the seventh time Malaysia hosts the games, after 1965, 1971, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2017.

In April, the OCM said it would submit a resolution for Putrajaya to continue with plans to hold the sporting event, while in May, Sarawak expressed interest to co-host the 34th SEA Games.