By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 18: Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes that preparations for the 2027 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will remain on track despite the recent change in the Ministry of Youth and Sports leadership.
Speaking to reporters after officiating the Sarawak Business Events Forum 2025 yesterday (Dec 17), Abdul Karim addressed the appointment of Dr Mohd Taufiq Johari as the new Youth and Sports Minister following a federal cabinet reshuffle in December 16.
“My hope for the new (Youth and Sports) Minister is that what has been done will be continued. Of course, there may be new policies as a new person will have their own ideas.
“However, what has been arranged—the methods set for the 2027 SEA (Southeast Asian) Games preparations involving four states in Malaysia which have been approved by the Federal Cabinet, must be continued,” Abdul Karim stressed.
He also indicated his intention to establish a working rapport with the new minister as soon as possible, stating, “I will pay a courtesy call on the new Sports Minister.”
At 29, Dr Taufiq is currently the youngest member of the federal cabinet and is the member of Parliament for Sungai Petani since 2022.
Abdul Karim also paid tribute to the outgoing minister, Hannah Yeoh, describing their working relationship as positive, especially during the hosting of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) last year which was hosted by Sarawak, and the initial stages of regional games planning.
“We’ve got a very good relationship. I will miss her in that Ministry,” he said.
“She was involved with us when we organised Sukma (Malaysia Games), and all this while, during the prelude to the SEA Games in Bangkok, we have been having discussions.”
He noted that Yeoh had been instrumental in assisting Sarawak as the State prepares to co-host the 2027 SEA Games.
Sarawak has been designated as one of the co-hosts for the prestigious regional event alongside Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor. — DayakDaily
