KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision against hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games is not a missed opportunity, says Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
"It's not a missed opportunity because it is not something that we thought of as an opportunity," said Fahmi, who is the Unity Government spokesman.
"We are realistic about where we are as a country, the direction that we need to go in and the resources we have, including time," he told a press conference here today.
Earlier today, Youth and Sports Ministry today announced that Malaysia has decided against hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, citing the cost of doing so.
Fahmi also said the government was not pressured into turning down the chance to host the event.
"In our discussions, it (public pressure) was not a factor at all. A lot of it has to do with ringgit and sense.
"When we assessed the viability of hosting the games, the length of time needed (to prepare), and the costs, it was seen as particularly prohibitive."
He said the 100 million pound incentive for hosting the event after Australia pulled out was insufficient.
Fahmi said the decision against hosting the games would not make Malaysia less attractive to those looking to hold sporting events in the country.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said he would discuss the possible regulation of streaming platforms with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
However, for now, the Communications Ministry's focus is on the review of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA)
Yesterday, Saifuddin said he would discuss the possible regulation of streaming services like Netflix with Fahmi.
Saifuddin said streaming services would technically fall under the purview of the CMA, as it involves the internet.