He said the decision was in line with a policy to reduce spending, including limiting overseas travel, The Borneo Post reported.

His remarks followed Sarawak youth, sports and entrepreneur development minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah’s confirmation that only East Kalimantan would represent Indonesia at the Games, with West Kalimantan unable to take part due to “certain factors”.

The Borneo Games 2025 will be held in Kuching from Sept 24 to Sept 28, with contingents from Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, Brunei and East Kalimantan.

The blowpipe event, initially listed, has been dropped due to a lack of participation.

Other events to be contested include athletics, swimming, badminton, archery and lawn bowls.

The Borneo Games were first staged in 1995, with the last edition held in Labuan in 2013.