KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has given the assurance that all angles will be considered before the government decides on hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Yeoh said the cabinet will discuss the matter in detail on Friday.
"As stated by the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), the paper for the organising of the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be presented to the cabinet this week," said Yeoh today.
"We will consider all perspectives and feedback, including from those who have contacted us as well as those who wrote on social media. We have read it all.
"The most important thing is that when the decision is made, we assure you it will be after taking into consideration all the possible angles.
"I am sure we will have a long discussion regarding this in cabinet."
Yeoh is unsure whether a decision can be made on Friday itself.
"I know everybody is waiting for that (decision), it depends on how the discussion goes.
"We (Sports Ministry) will try and compile all the information that the cabinet wants. However, if there is additional information that the cabinet requires, that will take some time for us to prepare."
The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) last week confirmed that Malaysia had been offered to host the games by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), which includes the promise of an £100 million investment to support delivery and legacy planning for the event.
Australian state Victoria withdrew from hosting the games last year, citing escalating costs that are expected to reach A$7 billion, and have reportedly agreed to pay A$380 to CGF for breach of contract.
If Malaysia host the games, the costs are expected to exceed RM1 billion for a relatively simple event.
A number of parties have publicly stated that hosting the games would burden the government.
Yeoh was speaking after officiating at the launch of the Petronas Le Tour de Langkawi cycling race in Bukit Jalil today.