Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim assured on May 19, 2026, that Malaysia's sports programmes and athlete welfare would not suffer budget cuts despite global economic challenges. He made the remarks during the National Sports Awards ceremony held at the National Sports Complex, which was conducted in a simpler style compared to previous years' grand hotel venues [1, 2, 3].
Anwar emphasized the importance of focusing on athlete welfare as the top priority for Malaysia's sports development. "I want to stress that if we want to succeed in sports, we must focus on the welfare of the athletes," he said [1]. He also noted that past spending priorities often skewed towards attire and travel arrangements, sometimes leaving athlete welfare secondary. "Previously there was excessive focus on matters such as attire and travel arrangements. As a result, athlete welfare was sometimes treated as secondary," Anwar said. "That is why we now emphasise that if we want to develop sport in the country, athlete welfare must be the top priority" [3].
To save costs, the prime minister called for reducing unnecessary or lavish spending on sports events and celebrations. Anwar explained that although Malaysia is facing economic challenges, the country has not been severely affected and budget measures have been put in place. He said, "Despite the economic challenges we currently face, I have given assurances to Dr Taufiq Johari (Youth and Sports Minister) that events, programmes and welfare in sports will be preserved. There will be no cuts" [2].
Anwar also urged improvements in facilities, training environments, and athlete conditions to enhance sports development in Malaysia [3].
At the awards, shuttlers Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei took home the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards. The Paralympic Sportsman and Sportswoman awards went to track cyclist Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin and swimmer Lim Carmen. Winners in the main categories received a trophy and a cash prize of RM20,000 each [1, 2].
The ceremony on May 19 marked the government's ongoing commitment to supporting athletes while managing resources prudently. The next major sports event or funding review has not been specified.
